After blood was discovered in his urine, Lars was promptly evaluated by the veterinary team and started on treatment to keep him comfortable. He was dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly developed in older intact male dogs. BPH is an enlargement of the prostate caused by testosterone. An enlarged prostate can cause blood in the urine, straining to urinate or defecate, and discomfort. Even though we spay/neuter our rescue friends before they are eligible for adoption, neutering is also the treatment of choice for BPH. Removing the source of testosterone causes the prostate to shrink significantly over a few weeks. Shortly after this appointment, Lars underwent his neuter procedure and is recovering beautifully. Lars was additionally prescribed a medicated shampoo to be used twice weekly after fully recovering from surgery to support his skin and coat health. Thankfully, no significant concerns were found during his examination, but some dogs simply benefit from specialized skin care routines.
When Lars began showing signs that something wasn’t right, he was able to receive prompt veterinary attention rather than waiting weeks for answers. Access to timely care helps prevent minor concerns from becoming major medical emergencies. For rescue animals like Lars, having veterinary resources available at the right time can make all the difference.
Procedure Recap + How It Improves Lars’ Quality of Life:
• Neuter Surgery: In addition to preventing unwanted litters, neutering can help reduce the risk of certain reproductive and prostate-related conditions, supporting long-term health and comfort.
• Urinary evaluation: Allowed the team to investigate the cause of his symptoms and begin supportive treatment.
• Heartworm testing: Identified active heartworm disease so treatment planning can begin.
• Medicated skin care program: Helps manage chronic skin irritation and supports a healthier coat and skin barrier.
