Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to acute prostatitis in dogs: a survey of Italian veterinary practitioners.

Abstract

Acute prostatitis is a clinically significant condition in dogs that requires accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic management. According to International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases guidelines, culture and sensitivity testing (CST) is strongly recommended, ideally using prostatic samples when feasible, and antimicrobial therapy should be based on culture results and administered for an adequate duration. This study aimed to evaluate current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to acute prostatitis among Italian veterinary practitioners, with particular emphasis on culture and sensitivity testing (CST), antimicrobial therapy, and hormonal management. An anonymous observational survey consisting of 18 mandatory questions was distributed online to veterinarians across Italy (February 10-24, 2025). Responses (= 306) were analyzed descriptively, and intergroup comparisons by facility type [small clinics (SC), large clinics (LC), and veterinary hospitals (VH)] were performed using chi-squared tests. Most respondents (93.1%) reported using a combination of clinical examination, bloodwork, urinalysis, and ultrasound for diagnosis. CST was performed in more than 50% of cases by 70% of VH, but only by 16% of SC. Urine was the most commonly used diagnostic matrix (54.9%), whereas samples of prostatic origin were used in only 20.9% of cases. Financial cost and turnaround time were identified as the main barriers to testing. Empirical antibiotic therapy was reported by 88.6% of veterinarians, most commonly amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (42%) and enrofloxacin (32%). However, only 7.2% of respondents prescribed antibiotics for the recommended duration of ≥4 weeks. Orchiectomy was performed in more than 50% of cases by only 19.6% of respondents. Hormonal therapy was used as a first-line treatment by 71% of practitioners. This study highlights significant deviations from current guidelines in both the diagnosis and treatment of canine prostatitis in general practice. Antimicrobial stewardship, the use of CST, and prostatic sampling should be improved to better align with current recommendations.