Undescended Testicle

[VanSwssAlmd]

Hello everyone!

I am in the process of purchasing a 7 month old boxer that has an undescended testicle. Can anyone offer some insight? Is it still possible that it may drop? When I get him, I plan to take him to the vet to get some feedback. Ultimately, I will probably get him fixed.

Thanks!

 

[rosebje]

Jake had an udescended testicle that never did drop. We had him fixed at about 6 or 7 months.
Harley had the same thing, we had to put off getting him fixed, and in the mean time, at about 7-8 months his other testicle dropped, he is ten months now, and still not fixed - soon I hope.. It makes me wonder if the same thing would have happened with Jake, it would have saved us the more expensive surgery to retrieve the other.

 

[gmacleod]

It would be a miracle if it dropped now Really, that's just not a realistic probability.

Puppies testicles should be in place by 6 weeks of age, and certainly by the 8 week mark. A few do descend later than that, but only so much later. At around 4 months, the inguinal canal through which testicles descend closes. Permanently. Whatever side of it the testicle is on at that point (abdomen or scrotum) is where it is staying. The only possible hope of a testicle descending beyond this age is if the inguinal canal failed to close normally. And whilst I've heard of plenty of people hanging on, delaying neutering their dogs till six months, even a year of age in the hope the testicle will magically appear - I have never yet heard of one doing so. In short, I'd say that the chance of a missing testicle making an appearance in a 7 month old pup is incredibly small.

The risk of torsion isn't that small though (the retained testicle twisting, or wrapping around other organs - both of which are lifethreatening). Neither is the risk of cancer of that retained testicle if he isn't neutered. Above all, this animal must not ever be used for breeding - because cryptorchidism (retained testicles) is hereditary. Here's a short veterinary article on the condition that you may find useful: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1630&articleid=897 If neutered though, he would have absolutely no health risks arising from having been cryptorchid.

LOL - edit to say that the poster above has the first ever case I've heard of of a testicle dropping that late. Many, many people who've waited in vain for it never to appear - but that's the first time I've ever heard of it actually happening.

 

[northernboxr]

Hey there,

I am not sure if it can still descend at 7 months or not (that would be very, very late), but it is pretty important to get it out of there if it doesn't come down on its own.

A cryptorchid testicle has a high chance of developing cancer, so I would probably remove it sooner rather than later.

My boy only has one "boy" too... I'm still waiting, but I'm not holding my breath on it!

 

[ELubas]

My boy with SAS was not neutered until he was 15 mos old as the vet did not want to put him under. He ended up with torsion as he had an undescended testicle that never dropped-he was one sick dog! Emergency surgery and in hospital for a week. I would snip him the second you get him! Good luck

 

[Lola's mum]

Casper has an undescended testicle too but will be fixed at 6 months anyway. The surgery is more invasive though isn't it, should I be worried or is it still sort of routine :(

 

[ELubas]

Casper has an undescended testicle too but will be fixed at 6 months anyway. The surgery is more invasive though isn't it, should I be worried or is it still sort of routine :(

Routine in the sense that it is not terribly uncommon so I would not worry too much. I think you are wise to do it sooner rather than later

 

[gmacleod]

Still sort of routine. They would have to open the abdomen to locate the missing testicle - whether or not it's still "minor" depends on it's location. If it's just sitting there, then it's pretty straightforward. If wrapped around other organs, then not so minor (that's unusual at such a young age though).

Even if not easily located, it's still nothing like the magnitude of a spay surgery though, which is a major invasive procedure (even if so common that it's also "routine").

 

[matrok]

We got Rugby at 6.5 months because the breeder finally resolved that she needed to neuter him due to a retained testicle. The hardest part for the breeder was that she could feel it and it seemed to be "somewhat" in place. Even multiple vets gave their opinions and were conflicted. I encouraged her to do what was in the best interest of the dog and when in doubt...neuter. Now for her this meant that she was not going to have a show dog, nor a stud to breed. But in the end she did the right thing and now he is ours in our loving home and she knows she did the right thing.

One thing to mention, we requested that she do the neuter by her vet that was familiar with the situation before we purchased him. It worked out great!

 

[VanSwssAlmd]

Thank you for all of your comments! They were very helpful. Although I do not plan to breed my new boy, it would be nice (in a perfect world, right?) if the other did drop as I'm assuming the costs for a neuter are much less. Anyone have any idea on approx. costs as compaired to a straightforward neuter? This is the first boxer that I have had with this problem. Anything I should be concerned with regarding the surgery itself? I know about the problem with boxers and "Ace". Any other possible health issues/complications I should be aware of?