My senior dog has a prostate mass. Is it always a tumor or just a mass?

Unfortunately prostate problems are very common in intact male dogs, and there is a chance he could have prostate cancer. Without seeing Cooper in person, I can't say for sure what his chances are that it's cancer, but it certainly would be a differential for me in in a senior, intact dog. Dogs are also very stoic about pain and illness, and a lot of times they are quite ill before showing any outward signs. That means they can be acting fine one day, and then be quite ill the next day. Keep in mind as well that just because you don't see visible blood in his urine, it doesn't mean blood isn't present in microscopic amounts. The next steps would be a urine analysis, abdominal x-rays and/or ultrasound to visualize the prostate, and a prostate biopsy. These tests will help confirm if Cooper has cancer, and I would speak to your vet about doing them. I hope this helps!

It can be very difficult to determine exactly what area of the bowel is affected by a mass without invasive and expensive testing which may not be in Jake's best interests given the very poor prognosis. However some benign prostate conditions can be more treatable in entire males (if no blood changes such as elevated calcium are detected). A specialist ultrasound exam, prostatic wash or needle biopsy from the prostate can be worthwhile as if benign may respond to medical treatment in some cases

Hi, an enlarged prostate is very very very common in unneutered dogs, one study demonstrated that over 80% of entire male dogs over the age of 5 are affected and 100% over the age of 8 have some degree of benign hyperplasia.I don’t think biopsies are compulsory, I would personally opt to have it treated as benign hyperplasia either through castration or through medical management, i.e. an anti-androgen injection that determines a reduction in prostate size of 40 % within two weeks and lasts an average of 5-6 months. The vomiting and diarrhoea is probably not linked to the prostate, and I would first try to help Harvey with this problem and then think about his prostate that has probably been enlarged for a while. Hope this helps.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Blood in the urine can be observed with things like urinary tract infections, urinary tract stones and even urinary tract tumors. The masses under the skin can be due to a benign or malignant growth. Both of these conditions can be linked or be completely separate issues. A urinalysis and urine culture can be performed to check the urine. Abdominal imaging may also be recommended. The lumps could be benign or malignant growths. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Beau! With out an ultrasound of the prostate and likely a biopsy we may never know for sure. But if Beau's prostate is still enlarged and is also mineralized then it is very suspicious for cancer. Sadly prostate cancer happens equally amongst neutered and intact dogs. I recommend considering a abdominal ultrasound. I hope this helps and I wish Beau the best!

Based on those bloodwork findings here are some possibilities: kidney disease, infection, immune mediated hemolytic anemia, bone marrow disease, prostatic benign hyperplasia, prostatic cancer or a prostatic infection. I would follow up with an abdominal ultrasound to evaluate the prostate even further and possibly get samples from it to see if it is infection, cancer or benign tumor and then starting treatment for the anemia (if severe). If Tyger has been diagnosed with IMHA, steroid and antibiotic therapy should have already been initiated by your veterinarian. If you wish to discuss Tyger’s case in more detail feel free to request a consultation request. We will be able to review the entire bloodwork and exam findings (if you have the medical records), to perhaps narrow down some of the possible causes for his illness. Best wishes moving forward with Tyger’s care.

This is probably a prostate disease (cancer or infection), this is common in unneautered older dogs, the vet will check the prostate, if it is enlarged he will need to have an ultrasound or CT done to find out if it is a cancer or an infection, he will need to be neutered ASAP.