The diagnosis and management of paraprostatic and prostatic retention cysts in the dog

Eleven dogs were diagnosed as having solitary or multiple prostatic cysts in an abdominal, pelvic or perineal position. Common presenting signs included urinary dysfunction, faecal tenesmus and abdominal distension. Cystography was found to be the most consistently accurate technique for differentiating the cysts from the bladder and other abdominal soft tissue masses whilst urethrography often highlighted their prostatic origin. Complete surgical resection of the cysts was attempted in nine dogs, the complexity of dissection being dictated by cyst size and the extent of adhesions to adjacent organs. Nine dogs were castrated. Urinary incontinence continued post-operatively in four dogs but later resolved in three of these. Seven dogs were alive and symptom-free over post-operative periods ranging from one to three years. Despite some of its technical difficulties, surgical excision appears to be a successful approach to even the larger prostatic cysts. Few of the post-operative complications associated with other surgical procedures described for the management of cysts were encountered.