Pharmacologic methods of androgen deprivation are commonly used for the treatment of androgen-sensitive disorders in humans, but little has been published about the potential for the clinical use of these methods for veterinary patients. Androgen deprivation is recommended in the management of canine benign prostatic hyperplasia, bacterial prostatitis, prostatic neoplasia, perianal gland adenoma, and castration-responsive dermatosis. Unlike surgical castration, the pharmacologic alternatives are noninvasive and may allow preservation of fertility. This article examines pharmacologie methods of androgen deprivation and the potential for their use in the management of androgen-sensitive disorders of dogs.
