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Cryptorchidism

In male puppies, the testicles form in the abdomen and then descend into the bursae during the first weeks of life. We speak of cryptorchidism when one or both of the testicles do not join the bursae and remain stuck in the abdomen or under...

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Definition Signs Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Complications When to see a vet Prognosis FAQ Sources Affected species

What is it?

In male puppies, the testicles form in the abdomen and then descend into the bursae during the first weeks of life.

We speak of cryptorchidism when one or both of the testicles do not join the bursae and remain stuck in the abdomen or under the skin of the groin.

It is one of the most common birth anomalies in dogs. It does not cause the animal to suffer and often goes unnoticed by owners.

Commonly observed signs

These signs are neither exhaustive nor specific. Only a veterinarian can establish a diagnosis.

Related signs — each one links to its page:

Infertility Swelling Hair loss Swollen or missing testicle

The anomaly is silent: the dog shows no pain, discomfort or visible signs on a daily basis.

On examination, only one testicle is present in the bursae, or none. The missing testicle can sometimes be felt under the skin in the groin.

When both testicles are retained, the dog is generally sterile; However, the production of male hormones remains present, and so does male behavior.

The signs only appear if a complication occurs later: swelling of the stomach or groin, sharp pain and depression in the event of twisting of the retained testicle, or, in the case of a tumor, symmetrical hair loss, modified skin, attraction to other males and developed udders.

When to consult without delay

This list does not replace veterinary advice. It gathers situations that justify a prompt consultation.

Causes and risk factors

Cryptorchidism has a clearly recognized hereditary component in dogs: it is transmitted through bloodlines, and affected males like their parents and brothers can transmit the defect.

The mechanism is due to a defect in the migration of the testicle during development, under hormonal and anatomical control.

A testicle that has not descended by six months of age will generally no longer descend.

Hereditary predisposition: this is the main factor. Smaller breeds are more often affected, including the Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Dachshund, Boxer and German Shepherd among others.

History of cryptorchidism in the father, mother or siblings.

The right side is more often affected than the left.

Diagnosis and care

Diagnosis is the veterinarian's responsibility, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests. Care is decided case by case.

Checking the presence of both testicles is part of the examination of a puppy: it is carried out during vaccination visits.

The veterinarian palpates the bursae then the groin. If a testicle cannot be found, an ultrasound of the abdomen most often allows it to be located before the procedure.

In case of doubt in an adult dog whose history is unknown, particularly an adopted dog, a hormonal dosage allows you to know if there is a testicle remaining in the abdomen or if the animal has already been castrated.

Tell the veterinarian everything you know about the puppy's lineage: this is useful for the breeder and for monitoring.

Treatment

The treatment is surgical: the removal of both testicles, including the one remaining inside the body.

Removing only the descended testicle does not make sense: it is the retained testicle which presents the tumor risk, and leaving it in place exposes the dog to the complication that we are trying to avoid.

Searching for the retained testicle requires opening the abdomen or groin; the intervention therefore takes longer than a simple castration, but it is well controlled and the puppy recovers quickly.

The time of the intervention is discussed with the veterinarian depending on the age, size and location of the testicle.

No hormonal treatment reliably causes a testicle to descend, and such an approach would mask a hereditary defect that must not be propagated.

A cryptorchid dog should not be used for breeding.

Treatment depends on the cause and the animal's condition: it must be determined by a veterinarian. No self-medication.

Prevention

Prevention requires selection: do not breed cryptorchid males nor, as much as possible, the parents and brothers of affected litters.

On farms, note the anomaly and inform the buyers.

Have the testicles of any male puppy checked by the veterinarian at the first visits, then checked again around six months of age.

This anomaly is a reason for exclusion in confirmation in many breeds.

Possible complications

Tumor transformation of the retained testicle, significantly more frequent than for a normally descended testicle, and often occurring at a younger age.

Some of these tumors produce female hormones: the dog loses its hair symmetrically, its skin changes, its udders develop and it attracts other males. Bone marrow damage can then occur and be serious.

Torsion of the testicle held in the abdomen: sudden and intense pain, tense stomach, depression. It's a surgical emergency.

Sterility when both testicles are retained.

Transmission of the anomaly to offspring.

When to see a veterinarian

Your male puppy is approaching six months and one or both testicles have not descended into the bursae.

You are unable to feel both testicles in your puppy during petting.

Your unneutered adult dog loses its hair symmetrically, its udders develop or it attracts other males.

He presents with sudden abdominal pain, a tense stomach and marked depression: consult urgently.

You are considering breeding a male with a missing testicle: talk to the veterinarian first.

Prognosis

The prognosis is excellent when both testicles are removed before a complication develops: the dog then leads a completely normal life.

Left in place, a retained testicle exposes you to a tumor risk which increases over the years.

Even if discovered late, a tumor of a retained testicle is most often treated well with surgery, provided that it has not spread.

Frequently asked questions

Can the testicle still descend on its own?

Descent occurs in the first weeks of life. After the age of approximately six months, it is accepted that an undescended testicle will no longer descend.

Can we only remove the testicle that remains inside?

Removal of both testicles is recommended: the anomaly is hereditary and the dog should not be bred, while the retained testicle carries the tumor risk.

Can my cryptorchid dog still make puppies?

If a testicle is normally descended, it is often fertile. However, it should not be used for reproduction, as it transmits the anomaly.

Is it painful for him on a daily basis?

No, an undescended testicle does not cause pain. The problem is the risk of tumor and twisting, which appears over time.