Serum biochemical and hematological parameters in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

BACKGROUND: Clinical prostatic diseases occur in 80% of dogs over 5 and 95% over 9 years of age. It seems that benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects Scottish terriers more severely than the other breeds. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the changes of biochemical and hematological parameters in BPH dogs. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 10 male dogs (mostly terrier or mix) older than five years with weight 8.91 ± 2.5 kg.suffering from BPH which referred to Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary Faculty of Tehran University. The diagnosis of BPH was based on clinical, laboratory surveys and ultrasonography. 10 normal male dogs with same age, breed and weight were selected as control group. Then serum acid phosphatase (TAP and PAP), CRP, urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulins and hematological parameters were assayed and the results were analyzed by Independent student T-test. Also, Pearson’s linear correlation test was used to determine the correlation between TAP, PAP, CRP and ESR with length and width of prostate. RESULTS: The length (p=0.008), width (p= 0.01) of prostates was significantly higher in dogs suffering from BPH compared to the healthy dogs. TAP and PAP levels significantly increased in all dogs in BPH group (approximately 6 times) compared to the controls (p=0.001). Moreover, serumic CRP concentration was elevated in some BPH dogs (approximately 6 times) (p=0.001). While there was significant ESR elevation in some of the dogs in disease group compared to the normal dogs, no significant difference was observed in other biochemical and hematological parameters between two groups (p 0.05). There was a highly significant correlation between serum TAP and PAP (p≤ 0.01) with prostate’s length and width which was more than CRP. CONCLUSIONS: The serum acid phosphatase, CRP and ESR were elevated in BPH dogs but the increase in serum acid phosphatase was more important than the others. It is recommended that each laboratory should use its own values of acid phosphatase in dogs.