Hi guys, so Buddy is 10.5 weeks old now and only has one testicle present. The vet mentioned making a decision around 3 months if the other hasn’t shown. Does anyone have any experience in this situation? I hope we don’t have to as his family history is very good and I’d like to be open to the idea of him being a stud. That’s a long way off and I doubt we will but I’d like to have the option.
No personal experience but I've heard that there is a chance of the testicle descending up to the age of six months. If it hasn't appeared by then, it probably won't. An undescended testicle will need to be found and removed as it runs a much higher risk of developing cancer if left.
Thanks, I’ll get a couple of opinions. I was aware of the cancer risk so obviously safety first, just wanted to give it a bit longer than 3 months.... fingers crossed!
If they don't come down you won't breed. At least not with responsible breeders. My pup is 5.5 months and his have not come down, so I guess they won't. I had no plan on neutering, but now I have no choice. Will do regular check ups and wait at least until 18 months.
I hadn’t planned on neutering either, it’s still early but looks like I might be in your position. I hadn’t necessarily planned on breeding but would like the option to have been there, but I understand the point about responsible breeding, and ultimately buddy’s health is the most important thing.
12 weeks is way too early to make a decision on this. You can easily wait up to 12+ months. There is also the option to have ONLY the retained testicle removed, so that he continues to have testosterone provided by the one remaining. There are many benefits to dogs retaining their hormones. There's a genetic basis to this, though, so you wouldn't want to use a dog at stud if he has a retained testicle, as he may pass this onto his offspring.
Yes I definitely wouldn’t be irresponsible with him, hopefully they’ll be fine and if not we’ll just do what’s best for him, thanks
Our boy had undescended testes to begin with. They had both descended around 12 weeks. Our vet's advice was to review at 6 months and remove an undescended testis at that point. 3 months seems a bit early to make that call since you obviously want to give it the best chance of descending to avoid unnecessarily invasive surgery.
Thank you, I’m hoping this will happen with buddy, I don’t think I’d like to take any action at just 3 months.
Here is a quote from "Dog Breeding, Whelping and Puppy Care" by Prof Gary England (2013 "As cryptorchid dogs get older, the chance of normal descent becomes more remote; it is very rare after one year of age" And: "Surgical removal of the abdominal testis is not necessary until 18 months of age, as neoplastic changes are unlikely before this time" So personally, I would leave it until 18 months... And even then only remove the retained one.
Thank you, very helpful and reassuring, I’ll keep you updated. He’s got an appointment for fleaing on sept 5th, so I’ll know a bit more then.
Been to the vets today for flea and worm and she said no decision until at least 18 months. The descended testicle was only just showing so he may just be slow overall. Apologised for the vet who said to make a decision at 3 months and said this was way too early. Pleased about that and fingers crossed we get a good result!
Yes! Our puppy that just turned 6 months has this (cryptorchidism) and what is even more strange our 11 year old black lab had this as well. We thought maybe it was common in labs as ours are not related but our vet said she hasn't seen this. With our other lab we were told to neuter him around 6 months so we did. However, our current vet said they can do it but she said waiting for at least until he is a year or more would be better because they need the hormones for growth so this time we will be waiting until he is around a year to year and a half.
@Browneyedhandsomebuddy Wondered if you'd found if Buddy's testicle has dropped yet? When we took Kyko for a check up when we got him home at around 11 weeks, we were told only one had dropped & he could feel the other but hadn't descended fully yet. We'd to take him back in a couple of months to check. Then he said we can castrate him, I immediately said I don't want him castrated yet as I believe a) there's still time for it to drop & b) I wasn't planning on castrating him at all & wouldn't be willing at this age anyway. I also mentioned him only taking that one which he didn't seem keen on, but I will stand my ground. Since then I've noticed his scrotum looks a bit more 'symmetrical' than it did at first so wondering if that means it's dropped? Although sometimes it doesn't is it possible that it's moving up & down? Also should I inform the breeder that he only has one? I'm not planning to breed from him anyway but not sure if it would affect future litters as they are planning another litter next year with the same parents? If anyone could advise I'd be grateful
Mango was 7 months just a few days ago and dropped both this weekend. I guess you can try his "bags" if they are full or not. That was what I did.
@Mango that’s good to know! @leighxxxx buddy’s has still not descended, and the felt felt it was unlikely, but it obviously can happen as mango said, so fingers crossed. I was told by 2 veterinary nurses to wait till at the very least 10 months, the other said 18, as they need them for development etc, and I guess the cancer risk would come much later. We are still hoping but we won’t be doing anything until 12 months I don’t think. Yes buddy’s scrotum has at times looked like there is 2 there, but I have never caught it quick enough to have a proper feel, then the ‘swell’ disappears. Even the one I could feel mostly disappears, so I’m hoping they’re still moving up and down, we’ll see.... but I’ll definitely be waiting.
