I was just told at the vet my 6 month old Frenchie only has one testicle that has dropped. When it comes to a dog's health, no pet owner would ever like to compromise on it. There are three common locations: The first thing we do after anaesthetising your dog is lie them on their back and try to pinpoint the testicle. I have a 6 month older Havanese with only one descended testicle. Hi Terry. That makes your dog a cryptorchid. He is set for a scheduled neutering in late August. But I hope you can see from the article that its not a disaster. (As our last dog, an Airedale Terrier, was kept intact for health benefits, not bred, and had no behavioural issues). Cryptorchid dogs should be examined regularly by a veterinarian to ensure that they are healthy and are not developing into a cryptorchid condition. The vet said give it 6 months and if it doesnt drop, hell need to be neutered. Hi my daughter bought a puppy who was 8 weeks old. wn. Although undescended testicles are smaller, they can usually be felt as a 1 or 2cm blip that pops under the fingers. Respiratory issues are likely to have another cause. document.write(year) >and most advice seems to be that they should be present by now. Interestingly, if only one is retained, its more than twice as likely to be on the right. My only concern regarding a dog with a single descended testicle is that they remain fertile, but regardless of this should be taken out of the breeding population. Also, when would you recommend us to schedule an operation to have the retained one removed? Therefore, most puppies that have an undescended testicle at their first vet check will end up being cryptorchid. By 8 weeks of ages, both testicles should have dropped into the scrotum and they can often be easily be palpated. Thank you for any feedback. I really want to keep the chance to a minimum for our boy to get the Irish setter spray coat! While this is worrisome for breeding prospects and show prospects, as a dog with a retained testicle should not be used for breeding, and show dogs are always checked for both testicle presence. Thanks Andrew much appreciated. 8 weeks is far to young to really be worrying and as Rodach says they move up and down for a while and can be devils to find. Nine years old for a small breed dog is really quite young. If both testicles are retained, the dog may be infertile. You can certainly have just the retained testicle removed and leave the other one. Can you just remove the testie that hasnt dropped without de-sexing? Because of the location of one testicle in a mass of muscle, it turned out to be quite a major op with an incision of about 20cm. I only hope the breeder is of the same opinion. The age at which your dog's testicles will drop varies from one dog to another, but as a general rule, they should have descended by the time your puppy came into your home, at around 8 weeks old. That is true, although sadly very few do so, which is why we think the rate of undescended testicles is increasing. Normally in this situation the testicle will remain in the same position, so the answer is mostly no. Hes 10.5 pounds and may grow only another pound or two. Also we live on a remote cattle property where he will not come into contact with any female dogs at all. Keep him quiet for at least two weeks after the operation while his body heals. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications. While this is worrisome for breeding prospects and show prospects, as a dog with a retained testicle should not be used for breeding, and show dogs are always checked for both testicle presence. For dogs like these, my technique will create an incision like this on each side. Cryptorchidism affects approximately 1-3% of all dogs. Not every vet will feel the need to do an ultrasound first, and surgical prices vary considerably among vets. Ultimately, it is up to the buyer to decide if they feel comfortable taking on a puppy with this condition, and to consult with a vet if they have any concerns. In nearly all puppies, this is by 6 to 8 weeks of age. Excuse me for multiple queries as I am still confused that if the testicles will not be visible to the doctor even after ultrasound then how would it be treated. Slow descending testicles are not a problem. I have certainly done so in the past, to allow for normal secondary sexual characteristics. There are three outcomes when it comes to the process of testicles descending: they can successfully descend into the scrotum, them may start descending, but stop somewhere along the way, or they may even never start the journey. 3. Fortunately, there are alternative treatments available. As your puppy grows, you start seeing signs of development, but at some point you may be wondering at what age do those dog testicles drop. In most cases, the missing testicle is expected to descend into the scrotum by the time the dog is six months old, one year at the very latest. While were on all the unethical things people do, Ive even been asked to insert a prosthetic testicle, just to fool the judges at dog shows! Males with cryptorchidism will usually exhibit male behaviors such as marking and territorial aggression, even though they may not have testicles. A vet can't just remove the dropped testicle and consider the dog neutered, nor can you figure your dog is essentially neutered if both testicles are absent. In the lack of a genetic test, there is no way to work out easily whether it comes from the sire or dam. What are Complications from surgery? When a dog is born, the testicles are generally located near the inguinal ring, an area around the groin, and are guided by the gubernaculum, a structure that . This procedure is usually done as an outpatient procedure, and most dogs recover quickly. Is this inherited from the mom or the dad? Any advice or feedback is greatly appreciated. He was good for a few days. zn eg ky ja so xa rf aq pr. As such, I would do the teeth first but then follow up very quickly with the retained testicles, as these are also of great concern. If his undescended testicles are by his kidneys could they be causing the kidney issue? In unilateral cryptorchids, the right testicle is far less likely to drop than the left one. The best news was after surgery, this particular dog felt so much better, and his health issues were resolved. Thats because he knew that cryptorchidism has a strong genetic basis. For example, my own Border Terrier was bilaterally cryptorchid, which caused the breeder considerable embarrassment. Your dogs recovery takes approximately 10-14 days and requires restricted activity. This is a case where size does not matter. year = year + 1900; Hi Kaz. It is similar to spaying a dog, only that instead of removing the ovaries, the retained testicle/testicles are removed. He also has a jaw issue. My Aussie had one male that is 4 months old and his have not dropped yet. One early sign of cancer in a dog's retained testicle is feminizing. Hello there, our 4 1/2 month old Irish setter boy has a retained testie. Since we have been breeding, we have had only 4 puppies whose testicles never descended. Is there a chance for it to still drop? If the puppy does not drop I will make it right with the buyer I want to be a responsible breeder. Un-decended testicles can cause cancer and are better removed. Sometimes when puppies are taken for an exam prior to 8 weeks of age some males will be diagnosed with a "undescended testicle". Additionally, some puppies may not develop these traits until they are older, so it is important to consult with a vet before making a purchase. What are the chances that the second testicle descends? Am i too late to do that? He is a lab/ boxer mix the father is albino boxer. Cryptorchidism in dogs is a sex-limited autosomal recessive trait and both male and female dogs can carry this gene and pass it to their offspring. Cryptorchid surgery is quick, easy, and not much more painful than regular desexing. The tumor can secrete estrogen, causing changes in your dog's appearance and behavior. The sooner it is addressed and corrected the better. Hi Edwina. The most common potential problem that our 7 week check up reveals is undescended testicles. Or do you think we are past that point now? I know whis Ihad left it longer and allowed him to mature more. You might notice your dog's teats swelling, or he could start peeing like a girl. If a cryptorchid dog is not neutered, they may develop into a cryptorchid condition and will not be able to have a normal sex life. Did the first vet get it wrong? Ultimately, it is up to the buyer to decide if they feel comfortable taking on a puppy with this condition, and to consult with a vet if they have any concerns. He was lucky- although his surgery was disfiguring, he is alive today. { Testicular torsion occurs when the testicle become entangled in the ligament. Im reading that it should be not long after 6mths. At 8 weeks of age, a 16oz pup at birth may be 7lbs, and one that was 18oz may by 9lbs, so the difference may appear HUGE, and everyone wants the healthiest pup they can get, but, after spending so much time with puppies, I am 100% certain that of all the factors people should consider when getting a puppy, size is not one of them or should be the least important factor 99.9% of the time. Overview. Video showing how to find both testicles on a giant schnauzer puppy that seems to only have one testicle down. We arnt going to bred him at all. "I have seen testicles drop as late as 6.5 months, and most of the veterinary reproductive specialists report that by 7 months the chances are exceedingly low.~Dr. Now, there are a few things to consider when it comes to deciding whether or not to remove a retained testicle. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Retained testicles are a minor problem and easily fixed. Therefore, the only drawback is cost. Natural methods using Traditional Chinese Veterinary Herbal formulas improve many patients quality-of-life and can help avoid major surgery. Hi Andrew, thank you for the quick reply. In fact, if I couldnt find it on ultrasound, I would assume that I had missed it, not that it wasnt there. Sometimes, it can take longer. Then the testicle embarks on a long and perilous migration out of the abdomen and into the scrotum. The tumor could burst, causing a septic reaction. Its getting quite common for vets to use ultrasound to find the testicle, but youll still find plenty (like me) who are confident to make an educated guess on where to place their incision. As the article says, he will be at great risk if you do not remove the undescended testicle. My German Shepard just 7-8 months now as had no papers very healthy had not even vaccinations Kept so small caged for his ist 3 months finally at 6 months One testicle came down but he humps pillow some,helathy,frisky,hyper,healthy,,, growing IS there chance might still descend 2nd one Vet wants Probe round Surgery but Like to wait till year old give other chance descend down IS it o.k wait One year think its too soon? I have a 1 year and 1 month old maltease dog. Breeder is charging for the pup ($2,500) and has a neuter contract which we are fine with to neuter him but it weighs heavy in my heart to know that we could be dealing with added stress and extra $$ expense off the batt on cryptorchid surgery. Hi Tibor. Just been to the vet and he said he couldn't feel any testicles. I have heard many different ages as to when to neuter. This is a schipperke, and she admitted to me early on that she was planning to use him at stud, now seems to be changing this plan. Hello, I have a 7 month old rottweiler and I took him in for a wellness check and only one testicle has dropped and they can feel the other but it will not drop. However, light sensitivity in dogs can be a sign of trouble. Thanks. hahaha. Please advise me on what to do for this sweet expensive little foster guy. If a cryptorchid dog has both testicles removed, and there are no other defects, they can lead a normal life. This is essential due to the extremely high rate of seminomas and sertoli cell tumours in cryptorchid dogs. One day, the owner asked me if the problem could be because his dog had a retained testicle. Your veterinarian may recommend an overnight stay depending upon the specific procedure. 1. Normally, a male puppy's testicles descend from his abdomen into his scrotum by the time he's 2 weeks old. Vet says the other will probably not come down. Neutering is recommended to prevent future problems. Both testicles are up in abdomen. A small tube containing a camera is inserted through a small incision in your son's abdomen. bp. da. In fact, testicular torsion is a condition in which the testicle twists on itself and can be very painful and potentially life-threatening. Cryptorchid dogs should be neutered by a veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid any health problems. >So sorry for off topic but sometimes these things just float to the front of ones brain oops!! Is this normal practice or can they just feel for the testicle? My clinic has never failed to find it and any experienced vet is likely to say the same, whether or not they use ultrasound. > under influence of male hormones became testes and started their journey down the body to end up in the scrotum????? Spermatic cord torsion (twisting onto itself) s a complication of cryptorchidism, and can cause sudden and severe abdominal pain. I also tend these days to not offer removal of only the retained testicle for the same reason. The chances are not very high unfortunately, but its still worth crossing your fingers. Approximately 75% of cases of cryptorchidism involve only one retained testicle while the remaining 25% involve failure of both testicles to descend into the scrotum. xo kg rm gu zw za uv. With a dog perfectly upside down, the way the scrotal testicle lies usually gives a clear idea of which one is missing. These problems can include infertility, reduced fertility, and a higher risk of developing certain kinds of cancer. First of all, it is important to understand that retained testicles are a very common problem in dogs. Vets in the US are (like us!) Although Should I wait until he is 12 mths old to get the testicle removed. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. A bump can be seen where the inguinal testicle is located. This means they descend into the scrotum and are outwardly visible. Friends are trying to dissuade us from going ahead because this should not happen in purebred dogs. Most can be found externally by a careful examination once the dog is asleep, and the remainder by ultrasound. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. He had his first puppy appointment November 28, 2020 and the vet says he is healthy. Have something to add? There is a Chinese herbal formula, Epimedium Powder, that has worked in some dogs to encourage the testicle to drop. Firstly, the true incidence of spay coat is unknown but it appears to be very low. Hi Samantha. How do you know if it is the male or female that carries it? Thanks. If one or both testicles never drop as the puppy matures, the condition is then called a cryptorchidism. Nor should any attempt be made to artificially replace a retained testicle (called orchiopexy) just so a dog can be bred or shown. I would still keep his other one, no reason to remove it from what I understand most vets say. Risk factors. They were very pushy on removing them both. What can I do, the breeder is lying to us. If your dog is diagnosed with cryptorchidism, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Undescended testicles can become cancerous and/or twisted, so it's important to have them removed while your dog is young. First of all, it is important to understand that removing both testicles is usually the best option because it eliminates the risk of cancer significantly. The prognosis is excellent for dogs that undergo surgery before problems develop in the retained testicle. Hi Beatrice. The doctor might be able to fix the undescended testicle during the same procedure, but an additional surgery might be needed in some cases. in my view its extremely likely that there is a second testicle (I have seen hundreds of similar dogs but none with less than two testicles). If the dog has one testicle, it is generally normal. He is now 9 months and his testicles have not dropped what age should he be fixed. May 23, 2022 / by / in mary berry coffee and walnut cupcakesmary berry coffee and walnut cupcakes and thanks for givining an indication on the cost. Then where could be the position for this missing testicle and will it be difficult to operate it? Cryptorchidism is a condition found in male dogs in which one or both testicles have not descended into the testicular sac (scrotum). Hi Kamryn. PET owners should not be alarmed as it is not unusual at this time for 1 or both of the testicles to not be present. To confirm that the dog has two descended testicles, gently grasp the scrotum between the thumb and forefinger while the dog is standing or lying on his back. Cryptorchidism is the medical term that refers to the failure of one or both testicles (testes) to descend into the scrotum. You should definitely get him seen by a vet as theres every chance he has another six years of good quality life if the problem is fixed quickly. The lowest range should be for neutering an inguinal cryptorchid while the highestrange should be for an abdominal cryptorchid. I would be much more concerned about someone buying a 15 week old puppy read this article on why a puppys age matters. The vets want to go in early to avoid any risk of testicular cancer. Surgery is necessary for these and complications are rare. Hi I have a twelve week old French bulldog pup that had both testicle at 6 and 8 week check up and one has descended and the other hasnt yet should I be worried thank you. Recuperation more resembles that of the spayed female dog. Since abdominal surgery is necessary to retrieve the testicle, the recovery period for your male dog is a couple of weeks. Some breeders may recommend avoiding puppies with this condition, as it may indicate potential health problems down the road. Hi, I have a mini doxie and 1 testicle is retained. It sounds like youre reading too much of the wrong information its not a big deal to have the surgery. I have so far not been incorrect in the assumption that if the testicle cannot be palpated or seen then it will be abdominal. He has only one testicle and im going to remove the undescended one next week. If the testicle though is not found in these areas but rather within the abdominal cavity, the surgery may be a bit more involved considered that the vet will need to make an abdominal incision and search for it, but once found, it is easily removed and dogs usually recover quickly. Usually, this is easy. Some breeders may recommend that potential buyers avoid puppies with undescended testicles, as these may indicate potential health problems down the road. How much longer would you suggest we wait before revisiting our vet. All you can ethically do is wait until 6 months to be sure, and then have it removed at the recommended desexing age for your breed. The breeder wanted to fully disclosed the info. A cryptorchid (undescended) testicle is roughly 9 times more likely to become cancerous than one in the normal location. That diagnosis generally occurs after a vet performs surgery to remove the undescended testicle and can't find it. However it seems that you have no intention of breeding. If your son has an undescended testicle that doesn't correct itself, surgery can relocate the testicle into the scrotum. Hi Christina. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a variety of factors, including the age, breed, and health of the puppy. Hi Leah. Hi Genevieve. We discussed just having the retained testicle removed if it didnt come down, as we have no intention to breed him. He had testes that didnt drop and the dogs home we had him from daid he was vaccinated he went in for surgery as he had a cancer growth but died in surgery he bled to death gutted and 6 months on Im surviving but miss him so much. The benefits of waiting until one year for certain breeds should outweigh any risk of the testicle causing problems in the meantime. The exact cause is not fully understood. 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