Adopted sweet boy, looks like 1 testicle...

[kellera4696]

We have a sweet new boy, unaltered, that we adopted from a displaced family. He is approximately 15 mo old, and I realized he appears to have only 1 testicle. After reading several articles on this site, I am really scared that he is in serious danger of health issues. I am going to get him in to the vet tomorrow, and will schedule a surgery asap to be neutered. Is it too late? Also, just for inofrmation sake, would this make him infertile? I would contact his former owner, but they are long gone from Cali...

Thanks.

 

[darwinsmom]

Since I assume you know that neutering makes a dog infertile, I take it you wanted to know whether a retained testicle makes a dog infertile. The answer is no, they can theoretically be bred but since this is a genetic condition they should not be. The term for this condition is Cryptorchidism. In my boy both testicles were undescended. It makes the neuter a bit more complicated (more like a spay) but is otherwise nothing to be worried about - with neutering he should be fine. However, it does make me wonder what kind of vet care he got before you took him in.

-Karlyn

 

[samsons]

we had a pit bull ( long agoe ) that had the same problem - we noticed it soon after getting him that only one had dropped, BUt 2 weeks later we found out we where gong to have a baby - ( we where very young ) and the money just wasnt there for the neuter- so he was about 1 when we got it done - he did have regular vet checks n shots- but the point is , he lived a very happy , healthy life , and we had no problems with cancer - he lived to be 14. so i wouldnt worry - just get it done as soon as possible.

hope that helps put ur mind at ease a bit

 

[kellera4696]

thanks all...

I appreciate all of the posts. I know my boy received basic care (shots, etc), but I never even thought to ask them if they found any info about his testicle situation. To be honest, the only other male I ever had was neutered when we adopted him, so I never even really thought to look at his junk, LOL... I just kinda noticed it the other day when he was rolling around on the floor, and I started doing some research.

Also, sorry my post was unclear about the fertility issue. I just wondered about his ability to procreate before I have him neutered. I have a purebred girl, unaltered, that I don't want him getting at since she is due to go into heat anyday now. I should of thought about this stuff before we got him, but we have a soft spot for boxers (he's our 5th over the last 15 years), and I just had to have him!!!!

Thanks again.

 

[kellera4696]

is surgery mandatory???

Just to make sure I have the right info for my hubby.... does he HAVE to be neutered? I feel bad putting him through this massive surgery. My vet gave me some details this morning, and I just shutter at the thought of them digging around looking for this other testicle in his tummy.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[djheitz]

Personally, I'd get at least one of the dogs neutered. Having two intact dogs means you'll have to be on guard twice a year, for weeks at a time, to make sure you don't end up with 6-10 more little ones running around.

 

[samsons]

my vet STRONGLY RECOMMEND it - as the dog would have a MUCH MUCH higher chance of cancer !

if it was my dog - i would get it done for that reason alone - not to mention unwanted puppy's !!!

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Just to make sure I have the right info for my hubby.... does he HAVE to be neutered? I feel bad putting him through this massive surgery. My vet gave me some details this morning, and I just shutter at the thought of them digging around looking for this other testicle in his tummy.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated.

My boy had an undescended testicle, he was neutered and yes he had 3 incisions in that area and they had to dig around but within 2 days he was totally fine. He had to be crated for 7 just to be sure to let the incisions time to heal but yes you really do need to get him neutered. In the end everyone will be happier, an unneutered dog is a disaster waiting to happen, you do not want unwanted puppies, agression, roaming, etc. He's completely normal to procreate but as others have mentioned it is a genetic issue and shouldn't be passed on, the chances for testicular cancer increases by a LARGE magnitude.

Please get him neutered. It isn't nearly as bad as it sounds and they bounce back just as quickly as a regular neuter.