Definition of cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism, sometimes called residual testicles or unapparent testicles, is the absence of one or both testicles in the scrotum of male puppies by the time they reach 6 months of age. Testicles usually appear within 6 to 8 weeks. However, they can remain in the abdomen and may never develop. Cryptorchid dogs can still be fertile, depending on the number and location of their retained testicles.

Breeders should check puppies for this disease before placing them in new homes. Most cryptorchidism shows no signs of discomfort or pain. In fact, many owners don't know their puppies have this condition until their veterinarian examines them, and dogs with cryptorchidism can have problems such as aggression or depression. Dogs with preserved testicles are at a greatly increased risk of developing testicular infections and cancer. Cryptorchidism is hereditary. Dogs with cryptorchidism should be castrated.

Causes of cryptorchidism

During fetal development, the testicles are in the abdomen. Typically, when a male dog is 6 to 8 weeks old, they are passed into the scrotum through the inguinal canal, although this may take longer. Of course, by the age of 6 months, the puppy's testicles should be completely hanging down. Sometimes one or both testicles remain in the abdomen and do not hang down properly when the puppy matures. Most breeders should check male dogs for this condition before taking them home. Male dogs of any breed can develop retained testicles (cryptorchidism). This condition has a strong genetic component and it is thought to be an autosomal recessive inheritance. Other causes of cryptorchidism remain a mystery.

Preventing Canine Cryptorchidism

Most authorities believe that dogs with one or no testicles should be castrated early in life, and that cryptorchidism is a genetic factor and should never be bred. Also be excluded from the breeding population. Both testicles should be removed to prevent the spread of the disease and reduce the chance of future infection and cancer in infected animals. (To summarize: Cryptorchidism must be sterilized and cannot reproduce)

How to diagnose cryptorchidism in dogs

Many owners do not know that their dogs have cryptorchidism before going to the hospital for physical examination or vaccination. Most veterinarians typically examine male puppies to see if both testicles are in proper position. This can be detected by manual palpation. Typically, the testicles are fully inserted into the scrotum between 8 and 10 weeks. However, in some dogs, this process takes longer. If a dog's testicles do not droop normally (show outside) within 6 months, it is considered cryptorchidism and requires castration surgery to remove the testicles.

Treatment

The goal of treatment for cryptorchidism is through castration (removal of both testicles), and there is anecdotal evidence that certain medical "therapies", such as hormone injections, may irritate Baby treated 4 months agoDogs are left with descended testicles, although this has not been confirmed. The ethics of this technique are highly questionable given the genetic component of the disease. Most people believe that cryptorchid dogs should not be considered for breeding (breeding). Their father, male siblings and any male offspring have an increased chance even if they are not genetic carriers themselves.

Prognosis

Dogs with retained testicles have a much higher risk of developing testicular cancer than dogs with normally drooping testicles. In fact, malignant tumors occur in approximately 50 percent of undescended testicles—a tenfold increased risk of cancer compared to dogs with unreserved testicles. Surgical correction of cryptorchidism should include removal of both testicles, regardless of their location in the scrotum, inguinal canal, or abdomen. With this treatment and appropriate postoperative supportive care, the prognosis for affected dogs is excellent.