This n' That Health
Prostate Disease
The prostate gland is found in male dogs as part of the reproductive system. In older males, it frequently causes medical problems. While in man, it's a common site of cancer, this is not generally true of dogs. Rather, in old age it undergoes enlargement caused by the development of cysts and bacterial infections. The most common signs associated with these changes in the dog are constipation and straining to deficate. The enlarged gland puts pressure on and constricts the rectum. Treatement usually involves antibotics and neutering. Neutering is done because without the male hormone testosterone the prostate shrinks to less than it's original size.
Lipomas
Lipomas are the most common tumor found in dogs. It is a benign growth of fat that is usually found under the skin. Lipomas typically have a flat or dome shap and are not firmly attached to deeper structures. They can therefore be moved around through the skin. A common location for them to be found is over the rib cage, however, they can occur on the back, neck and legs. There is a slightly higher incidence of lipomas in females. They are not painful and usually should cause little concern. When combing your Malamute, if you find one of these growths, have it checked by a veterinarian. If this is all it is, there is no harm in doing nothing. You may want to be a bit more careful when combing through the coat so you don't catch the comb on them, however. If they begin to grow or bleed they may need to be removed. The exact cause is unknown.
False Pregnancies
Some female dogs display all the physical and behavioral signs of pregnancy even though they have not been bred. A hormonal abnormality causes the dog's body and mind to prepare for whelping. They may show abdominal distention and milk production in mammary glands. Behaviorally, they make nests, carry and guard toys, and may even try and get the toys to nurse. Although in most cases, these signs will pass, in severe cases medication may be needed to cure the hormone imbalance. Dogs that repeatedly display these signs should be spayed as they often develope more serious problems affecting the uterus and mammary glands. Often they are more difficult to breed successfully as well.
