Our question this week was:

Dr. Jon - Can an enlarged prostate cause my dog to loose all control in his hind legs?

Sharon Bender

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. You wrote asking can an enlarged prostate cause your dog to loose all control in the hind legs? Generally, an enlarged prostate can cause urinary problems – such as straining to urinate, frequency, urinating small amounts or signs of constipation. It can also cause abdominal pain in some dogs. This article may be helpful – go to Prostatomegaly (Enlarged Prostate)

Loss of use of the rear legs is not a common signs unless the prostate enlargement is cancerous and it has grown or metastasized causing the paralysis.

Common causes of loss of use of the rear legs are:

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) - Thoracolumbar Area in Dogs.
Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy (FCE).
Acute Polyradiculoneuritis (Coonhound Paralysis).

I'd recommend that your dog be examined by your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Best of luck!

Dr. Jon



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