Selected physical and chemical characteristics of prostatic fluid collected by ejaculation from healthy dogs and from dogs with bacterial prostatitis.

Forty specimens of prostatic fluid, collected by ejaculation from 36 dogs with bacterial prostatitis, and 43 specimens of prostatic fluid collected by the same method from 42 healthy dogs were analyzed with respect to pH, specific gravity, cholesterol concentration, and zinc, copper, iron, calcium, and magnesium concentrations. Values from prostatic fluid of infected dogs were compared with values from prostatic fluid of healthy dogs, using a variety of statistical methods. In striking contrast to data obtained from human beings, prostatic fluid pH, specific gravity, or cholesterol zinc concentrations were not altered in dogs with bacterial prostatitis. Seemingly, these tests are not reliable in the diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis in dogs.