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If your dog does not have two visible testicles by the second month after birth, you need to have your veterinarian check for cryptorchidism, or retained testes. While many owners think having retained testes is not a big deal and just ignore it, this can put your dog at a much higher risk of getting testicular torsion or cancer. Both of these illnesses are extremely painful and can be fatal. Cancer of the testicles is the second most often reported cancer in dogs overall and about 12 times more common in dogs with retained testes. This cancer causes severe pain in the abdomen, weight loss, and the shutting down of the internal organs. Testicular torsion is usually rare, but with the testes floating around unattached in the abdomen it is much more common and a life-threatening emergency. It occurs when the testicle twists itself up and cuts off the circulation to that testicle. Extreme pain and infection are imminent and emergency surgery to remove the testicles will have to be done immediately to save your dog.
Retained testes happen when the tube that connects the testicle to the scrotum does not form correctly, the testicle will not be able to drop down into the scrotal area as it should. It is actually fairly common in dogs, although unilateral cryptorchidism is the most common. There are two types; unilateral, which means only one testicle has descended, and bilateral, which means neither testicle drops into place in the scrotum. In unilateral cryptorchidism it is the left testicle that descends in most cases. Those with bilateral cryptorchidism are almost always sterile because it is too hot inside the abdomen for sperm to live.
When one or both of a dog’s testes do not drop down into the scrotal area, this is called cryptorchidism, which is also called undescended or retained testes. There are two types of retained testes, which are unilateral (only one testicle drops down) or bilateral (both testes do not drop down). By the eighth week of a dog’s life their testicles should have both fallen into place in the scrotal area behind the kidneys. If one or both testicles do not drop into the scrotum, this can cause more than just cosmetic issues. It can also affect the health of the dog by increasing the risk of cancer or testicular torsion. A dog with retained testes will almost always be sterile, but it is still essential to get your dog neutered to prevent cancer or torsion.
Retained Testicles Average Cost
From 72 quotes ranging from $400 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,000
The most obvious sign that your dog has retained testes is if your dog has only one testicle or none at all. Even if you do not notice this, your veterinarian will catch the problem at your puppy’s first examination. That is why it is so important to take your puppy to the veterinarian between six and eight weeks of age for the first check-up. Sometimes the dog can be mistaken for a female and the owner does not notice any problems until cancer or testicular torsion occurs. The signs of these are:
Types
Unilateral Cryptorchidism
Bilateral Cryptorchidism
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While this is not uncommon in any dog, it is more common in certain breeds, which are:
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Although this condition should be noticed by the veterinarian at your puppy’s first examination between six and eight weeks, sometimes it may go unnoticed until a later age. A good example of this is if you get your dog when it is older and the first owner did not get the puppy checked by a veterinarian or if your male dog was mistaken for a female because it has bilateral cryptorchidism. Either way, provide the veterinarian with as much information about your dog’s history as you have. This should include medical records, vaccinations, illnesses or injuries, changes in behavior or appetite, and any symptoms you have noticed.
Your veterinarian will then do a physical examination of your dog. A complete physical exam will include heart rate, weight, body temperature, and blood pressure. After the examination, the veterinarian will do some tests, including urinalysis, stool sample, semen sample, x-rays, and ultrasound. He may also need to do a CT scan and/or MRI if necessary to see exactly where your dog’s testicle(s) are located.
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The only treatment for both unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism is surgically neutering your dog. Neutering a dog with retained testes is more complicated than the usual neutering because it involves locating and removing the testes from the inguinal canal or wherever in the abdomen they may be. While this type of surgery has some risks, it is much safer than not having the surgery. Your dog will probably have to stay in the hospital for one or two days and will need rest and relaxation for at least two weeks after that at home.
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After going home, your dog will need to be on limited activity with possible cage rest. The veterinarian may also give you an Elizabethan collar for your dog to wear to keep him from licking at the incision area. Check daily for signs of infection at the incision site. The signs of infection are redness, swelling, bad odor, or any kind of discharge. You will have to bring your dog back within 7-14 days to get the stitches removed and to see if it is healing properly. Be sure to tell your veterinarian any concerns you may have.
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Retained Testicles Average Cost
From 72 quotes ranging from $400 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,000
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Ask a Vet
Mixed chowaawa
Four Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
Our dog is 4 and it's been about a week his tested have like going inward. He doesn't seem to be in pain or anything. What do I do.
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. Without being able to see what is happening, unfortunately, it is difficult for me to say what might be causing this. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 15, 2020
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Affenpinscher
Four Years
Unknown severity
0 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
His tested all of a sudden are inside and have not dropped back out what do I do? It's been around 7 days since this happened. He doesn't seem to be in any pain or discomfort. What do I do.
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. If he does not seem to be bothered, this may be something that you can monitor and see if they drop back down. There is a canal that exists where they may move between. If you are concerned, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get treatment for them.
Oct. 15, 2020
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Siberian Husky
Nine Months
Unknown severity
3 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
I have 2 questions. Can my dog have surgery to help drop his testies? Can my dog still enpregnate a female dog even if his testies have not dropped?
Sept. 26, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay in my reply, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. If your dog is cryptorchid, there is a surgery to remove those testicles, as they can become cancerous if left. He can still produce sperm, yes.
Oct. 19, 2020
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Pitbu
Eight Months
Unknown severity
11 found helpful
Unknown severity
Has Symptoms
My dog is about to be 8 months and his testicles havent dropped yet. He hasnt shown any signs of paint or inflammation.
July 28, 2020
Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
11 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Some dogs are born as what we called cryptorchid dogs, where their testicles do not descend into the scrotum normally. By 8 months old, if they were going to defend, they probably would by now. It would be best to talk to your veterinarian about having him neutered, as those undescended testicles can become cancerous over time and we always recommend neutering in those dogs. I hope it all goes well for him.
July 28, 2020
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No name
English Bulldog
11 Weeks
Fair severity
2 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
An 11 week old English Bulldog puppy that I am interested in purchasing was initially diagnosed with no palpable testies (at 8 weeks), then one testicle was noted on xray in the abdomen (at 10 weeks) and now at 11 weeks both testicles are palpable in the abdomen. I want to be able to show and breed this dog. The breeder thinks that both testicles will eventually descend on their own. Is this realistic? If they do drop, is there a higher chance of him passing this condition onto his male offspring? Both parents are platimun health certified and from reputable breeders.
Aug. 15, 2018
No name's Owner
Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Retained testicles is an inherited condition, and affected dogs should not be bred. It is possible that both testicles will drop, but it is possible that they won't. Whether you decide to purchase this dog is up to you, but you would need to do so with the possibility that he will need to be neutered.
Aug. 15, 2018
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Jangee
German Shepherd
9 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Today I notice that my GSD boy had undescended testicals........both testicals aren't dropped.......he is 8.5 mths gsd with 34 kg weight.........healthy and playpul.......non aggresive...........so what should i do?........should i neutered him or just leave it...........if i leave him then it will be normal......can he live healthy for 10 years.........or i should neutered him asap...........
Champ
Chitzhu
8 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
I have the chitzhu with one of his testicles retaining under between skin and abdomen in the middle and he is healthy No troubles so far and he is very naughty and active by Gods grace ! I heard already about testicles removing ??!! I wonder if it is a human are you also treated him this way or here are some other options ?? Do you really now how to cure without harm? If it is your son what you would do ? and he cannot bear the pain and please advise us what to do next.
Ralph
dobermann
6 Years
Moderate severity
0 found helpful
Moderate severity
Has Symptoms
I have a 6 year old rescue Doberman,I got him as a 15month old abuse case. He is incredibly loyal and a cuddle monster, but I noticed recently that he has 2 retained testicles.He has always been reactive but has improved greatly. Unfortunately he has quite advanced wobbler as has my other rescue dog.Because of this I am loathe to put him through any surgery especially as he cannot cope away from me.As he has reached his age with no obvious signs of cancer , how high is his risk of any related problems? The testicles only appear for a short time and there is no sack. I only noticed this a few months ago because they are only down for a matter of seconds?
Walter
Small Mixed
19 Months
Fair severity
0 found helpful
Fair severity
Has Symptoms
Walter is a 19 month old mixed breed about 15 pounds. He is very active and a happy boy, No problems. However, he has 1 testicle that remains in place and the other one which seems smaller goes back inside his abdomen.When he was younger both testicle were present in the scrotum sac. Months later one seemed to go back inside, Could this be from an injury ? We can move it back to the scrotum by gently moving a finger down the side of his abdomen near his penis.Is this situation possibly going to cause him problems?He runs and plays and seems to have no health issues. We do not intend to breed him. thank you for any advice you may provide.
Buddy
Lassapoo
Four Years
Serious severity
0 found helpful
Serious severity
Has Symptoms
I have a three year old lassapoo with two retained testicles they are just at the bottom of his penis on each side not very big you can feel them really well and are visible they don’t seem to bother him at all is it really important to have them removed my vet does not seem very Concerned about them Buddy loves to play and is very happy and content
Retained Testicles Average Cost
From 72 quotes ranging from $400 - $2,500
Average Cost
$1,000
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