question

[lamagdalena]

We took our new puppy Angel to the vet today and I got a call from my mom telling me the vet found that Angel had only one testicle.

She says the other one might be inside his body, kinda like an ovary I imagine. She said this is dangerous and can lead to cancer so she wants to get rid of both.

now my question is, does this sound logical? obviously having one testicle inside the body isn't healthy and should be removed but why remove both? We want to be able to have the option of trying to breed Angel in the future. With one testicle it would be harder but it could possibly be done.

I don't know, it at the end of the day he has to have both removed than so be it. We didn't get him to breed him, but since both my other babies are both castrated, I know it would have been a joy having a mini steve or mini chester around.

[stacey101]

sounds logical , its just like a horse at the ranch.. he only dropped one in the last year and there staring to get worried .. so they sold him. Go figure eh?

[BUUZBEE]

We get ridglings at the track all the time... sounds normal to me :)

[SpickyDavies]

i use to work at many vets and i'v never known a testicle inside a body be any promblem at all
iv only ever seen in when people have come in with there male dogs to get the snip and we have to search out the missing one which is simply tucked inside

if your not 100% sure you wihs to use your dog as stud, i'd say get rid of them both
its healtly as it reduces the risk of cancer and he'll have a calmer temperment

[lamagdalena]

so we can't keep the testicle that is fine and outside the body? I understand taking the one inside out, but we have to get rid of both of them? :(

[BUUZBEE]

I dont think the function changes, it just hasnt dropped. but could be wrong?

when we have horses that are ridgelings, they dont have it removed.

[atvchick95]

if it can happen in human men, I'm sure it can happen in dogs and other animals too

not sure why they'd want to remove both though if only one is a issue

I think I'd get a second opinion before they do a unneeded surgery on your dog.

[Marinepits]

It's called a unilateral cryptorchid. Here's a brief explanation:

During fetal development or shortly after birth, the testicles will descend into the scrotal sac. In some dogs, likely due to a genetic predisposition, the testicles may not descend into the scrotal sac. These dogs are known as either unilateral (one testicle) or bilateral (both testicles) cryptorchids. The testicle may be retained in the abdomen or anywhere between the abdominal cavity and the external sac. Retained testicles do not usually produce sperm, but they will produce hormones, which can lead to any of the behavioral changes or medical problems previously discussed. In fact, some studies have shown that retained testicles may be more prone to developing cancer. At the very least, it would be extremely difficult to determine if a testicle which is located in the abdomen begins to develop cancer since it cannot be palpated. All dogs with retained testicles should be neutered for medical and behavioral reasons, and to ensure that this genetic abnormality is not perpetuated.

http://www.hsmo.org/m_obedience/behavior/dogneuter.html

[BUUZBEE]

good posting :)

that answered if they are functioning or not.

[Marinepits]

Glad I could help. ;)

[lamagdalena]

It's called a unilateral cryptorchid. Here's a brief explanation:



http://www.hsmo.org/m_obedience/behavior/dogneuter.html

thanks for the info. I also found this on another site...

ryptorchidism is a condition present at birth in which one or both testicles fail to descend into the ******* from where they develop in the abdomen. If the testicle has not descended into the ******* by approximately two months of age, there usually is little chance that further descent will occur.

The undescended testicle is usually underdeveloped and non-functional, although it is a potential source of problems later in life (especially cancer) if not removed. The undescended testicle may remain within the abdomen or it may be located in the inguinal (groin) tissues.

Cryptorchidism is believed to be an inherited trait that could be passed on to the next generation if the animal is allowed to reproduce. Bilateral castration (removal of both testes) is recommended in all affected animals.

Diagnosis

Cryptorchidism is diagnosed by palpation of the ******* and finding the absence of one or both testicles. The diagnosis is frequently made in the young healthy dog when he is presented to the veterinarian for routine castration. Often the owner is unaware that the problem exists.

Laboratory tests are generally not required to make the diagnosis; however, if your pet has bilateral cryptorchidism (both sides) it may be difficult to determine if he had previously been castrated unless you are certain of his entire medical history. Abdominal ultrasound examination or measurement of blood testosterone levels may help with the diagnosis in such cases.

Treatment

Castration is the recommended treatment of choice for pets with cryptorchidism. Depending on where the undescended testicle is located, the incision may be in the inguinal skin or into the abdomen. The normal (descended) testicle is removed in the regular manner.

sigh* the only reason for removing the good testicle is so the recessive gene is not passed on. We castrated Steve because our vet believed it would calm down his aggressive behavior and it didn't do crap.

and Chester wasn't castrated until 10 or 11 and he was the most gentle doggy ever. so I don't know if it really does affect behavior. What I also read is removing both testicles when they are puppies will cause them to not develop correctly in the sense that most of their testosterone is absent. A lot of their build and stature will not develop.
Curiously enough, this disease is sorta common in german sheperds. lol

I am still going to ask the vet what would happen if we just removed the one inside. Depending where it is located, apparently can cause it to turn into a tumor, often malignant.


thanks for all your help. :o

[clifff123]

Not a good subject for a man to read. Oh man Now I feel sick!!