HELP: neutering and cryptochidism

[boozer]

guys, help me... i have a dilemma. boozer, my 4 1/2 month old boxer, is my first dogs so i really do not know much about dogs and their health issues though i've been reading as much as i can about this wonderful breed. anyway, i was watching a boxer dog show so i talked to the owners and breeders to learn anything about boxers. they said boozer got a nice dark brindle, collars and evrything... however, i was shocked when someone noticed that boozer only got one ball. i was startled because i did not know what it meant. so i researched about cryptochidism and learned that his other testicle should have descended by now. i would want his other ball to come down but research says that cryptochid dogs have a MUCH higher chance of developing a cancer. what should i do? i was not planning on neutering him but i would be willing to have him spayed and undergo surgery to reduce the risk to get a cancer. should i wait for his testicle to go dowwn or do i have get him neutered ASAP? good things is, the breeder is able to feel the other ball so vets would easily know where to operate him. if ever i let him go through surgery, what should i do to take care of him? i'm really feel bad right now.

 

[gmacleod]

In most cases, testicles will have dropped by 8 weeks - though in a few cases it can be a little longer. If they're not down by 12 weeks though, then chances are they aren't coming. At 4.5 months, I'm afraid its pretty definite.

So yes, what you need to do is take Boozer to a vet and to schedule a neuter. Retained testicles have a very high chance of becoming cancerous - and with this condition (which has a hereditary basis) he can't be shown or bred from anyway. Don't feel bad about it though - yes, this is a little more involved than a standard neuter (though if his breeder can feel where the second is, it will make things much simpler ), but there are a whole range of benefits to neutering and in your boy's case, his chances of developing cancer would be quite high if left intact. Good luck

 

[LokiGem]

Neither one of Loki's testicles dropped. I was told that the testicals continue to grow inside the pup and eventually get too big to pass through to the scrotum. If the testies stay inside, there is a high chance they will develop cancer. I had the surgery done when he was 6. months old. The vet didn't have to "search" too much for them and all went well. Loki was at the Vet for about 8 hours, and was understandably a little groggy for the following day or two.
He has a scar about 2-3 inches long on his belly. Chriptochidism is a somewhat common condition in male puppies. The surgery is similar to getting a female spayed as they have to cut open the abdomin. I was very nervous when Loki went through this, but it all turned out fine. I was a new mom too, so I understand your concerns.
I would plan to have the surgery done once your pup is 6 months old. I'm sure he will be just fine. Good Luck!!!

-Kim&Loki

 

[boozer]

thanks for your concern! i still have a few questions... i've been hearing about ACE... what exactly is it? why do i have to avoid it? what other medications should be avoided? thanks!!!

 

[Mama_Zookeeper]

My Rocky had his neuter almost 2 months ago and he also had 1 undecended testicle. Aside from 2 incisions he did fine...very sleepy after surgery, but the next day he was his normal crazy self trying to get wet in the garden hose. Not too sure about ACE (we asked our vet who said she does not use it) but if you do a search you should find plenty of info.

Dora & the Zoo Crew

 

[gmacleod]

ACE is Acepromazine. It is a pre-anasthetic sedative and it does NOT agree with boxers at all (tends to cause heart failure in boxers, and should never ever be used). You should ensure that any vet who is about to perform a surgery on your dog does not use ACE. Detailed information can be found with a search .