A dog with small sized testes can have problems with reproduction, be prone to cancer,  and also have other conditions that run concurrently with the testes abnormality. Some canines have small sized testes due to inheritance, while others will acquire the condition as a result of trauma or disease. If you see that your pet has what you may suspect as abnormally sized testes, an appointment with the veterinarian is important  to determine the cause and rule out illnesses such as neoplasia, immune-related disease or testicular degeneration. Some disorders related to small testes are breed prone, but any age or breed can develop this condition.

Developmental abnormalities in the testes of dogs is not uncommon. When a canine has testicals that are small in size, it is called a disorder of sexual development. These conditions can be congenital or acquired in nature.

There are varying conditions that can be described as causing the testes to become small, or even not present. Symptoms can range from a simple observation made by you or the veterinarian at a regular check-up, to signs of illness or discomfort exhibited by your canine companion.

The more common types of small testes conditions are described here.

Small sized testes can be caused by many factors and as a result of this condition, your pet may be rendered sterile. For those owners who were not planning to breed, infertility is not a problem. However, the condition must still be addressed because illness and other problems may be the reason for the change in size or shape. In addition, health issues can result or accompany the problem.

Your pet may be exhibiting signs of trouble like a painful stance or a swollen and hot  scrotum in relation to the testicular changes, or he could be asymptomatic and the discovery of small sized testes is found by the veterinarian at a routine check-up. Whatever the case may be, a physical examination of the reproductive organs will be the first step in diagnosing small sized testes.

Your veterinarian will do a palpation of the testes and scrotum, which may or may not cause pain for your pet. This will depend on the condition. The testes may be hard to find if they are retained, or may present as hard lumps. If there is degeneration or atrophy, the testes could be soft and pliable.

In addition to the examination, your veterinarian will order the standard wellness tests of complete blood count, biochemistry profile, urinalysis and fecal analysis. In some instances, the veterinarian may decide to do a hormone assay if endocrine problems are suspected. Depending on the findings from the initial tests and examination, a biopsy or fine needle aspiration may be scheduled as well.

Surgical castration, or removal of the testicles (orchiectomy), is the most common treatment for small sizes testes in dogs. The reason for this is that complications related to the testes can often develop further. For example, a dog with cryptorchidism may be prone to illnesses related to testosterone such as testicular cancer. Also considered in the dog with cryptorchidism is the chance that the hereditary defect could be passed along to the next generation (in the case of a dog with one descended testicle who is still fertile).

Antibiotics, NSAID’s, corticosteroids, and sexual rest may be the recommended therapy for orchitis or testicular degeneration, but the response is individual to each canine. In addition, the degree of the underlying disease process (leptospirosis for instance) is always part of the cure and recovery. Some dogs may regain a normal sperm production and can experience a reversal of the disorder. The testes can revert to normal size. However, some pets remain sterile.

Your veterinarian will discuss the pros and cons of the chosen therapy best suited for your canine companion’s situation. It has been documented that dogs who have had the testes removed may experience obesity and behavioral changes. In comparison though, pets who have small testes that are undescended are prone to testicular fibrosis, prostate cancer and testicular torsion (the testicle which has not descended twists upon itself and cuts off blood supply to the testicle). The individual case for each pet will be carefully considered, as will the pros and cons of each diagnosis and treatment plan.