[Wilsonan256]

About a month ago my dog Capone which is a 6yr pitbull mix started having some intestinal issues; loose frequent stools. I carried him to his vet he done a fecal test and said he had hook worms so gave him a dewormer followed by doses for me to give him at home. Vet also stated that he felt a lump in his pelvis and he believed it to be an enlarged prostate, recommended me to neuter him. I carried him back a couple days later for the procedure. I picked him up and he was sent home with an antibiotic and the vet said that he should start to feel better in a few days but it could take up to a month for the enlarged prostate to shrink. Well its been 15 days and he is gradually declining. Capone has lost nearly 20lbs since this has started, he will only eat a small amount of fresh boiled chicken in the mornings, he still has frequent loose stools (has even resorted back to going in the house which he hasn't done since a puppy) and most of all he isn't his normal self, I can tell he is hurting. We went back to vet last week and he prescribed some liquid vitamins in hopes of helping him which didn't then I had the vet come in again today. I carried him a fecal sample which was clear, no temp, lunged sounded good, and he felt the lump again which he said appeared to be smaller than when I first bought him in but he said he should be feeling better than what he is. I left Capone at the vet this evening where they will proceed with blood work and xrays but I was just wondering if anyone had any other suggestions for me. I have tried everything so Im desperate

 

[Knute]

Another Vet. Share the history.

I think the first Vet may have missed something. To my knowledge, neutering won't shrink a swollen prostrate.

Otherwise this would be a normal procedure for humans with a swollen prostrate.

 

[LeoRose]

Blood work and x-rays are a good first step. If they don't show anything conclusive, then an abdominal ultrasound might be a good idea. If nothing definite turns up, then asking for a referral to a specialist or vet school would be the nest step, if you can afford it.

Another Vet. Share the history.

I think the first Vet may have missed something. To my knowledge, neutering won't shrink a swollen prostrate.

Otherwise this would be a normal procedure for humans with a swollen prostrate.

Actually, neutering is usually the best treatment for enlarged prostate in dogs, since it removes testosterone, which drives prostate enlargement. It's also used in conjunction with other treatments in some cases of human prostate cancer for the same reason.

 

[Knute]

Thanks......I learned something today. I've only known people with enlarge prostrates to undergo removal surgery.

 

[RonE]

Yeah, Male humans with enlarged prostates aren't typically neutered.

 

[parus]

Diatomaceous earth is not an effective way to deworm dogs.

OP, I'm sorry your pup is suffering. I wouldn't be surprised if the loose stools are a result of the medications he's been on - deworming can cause diarrhea and antibiotics can kill beneficial gut flora, so it takes a while to get back to normal after that - but the general malaise sounds like it could be something else. I'd definitely want bloodwork at the very least to get a better idea of what to investigate.

 

[Patchy & Sue]

Something is wrong, especially he doesn't want to eat, boil some sweet potato or white potato & add 2 spoons mashed with his boiled chicken, potato firms up poo, also buy tin salmon, read the salt/sodium % get the lowest add 1-2 spoons per meal, the salmon is high in Omega 3 will help balance diet, dogs normally love fish..
The Ultra Scan might show something hopefully..
My Staffy suffers IBD now, after I rescued him we had to do Endoscope & Biopsies, he had Helicobacter Pylori which was causing nausea, acid reflux, weight loss but he was always starving hungry..
I hope you get some answers its awful watching your dog suffer.. Keep a daily diary this helps when vet asks questions..