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Cryptorchidism (Retained Testicles)

Cryptorchidism is the medical term that refers to the failure of one or both testicles to descend or drop into the scrotum. The testes typically develop near the kidneys within the abdomen and usually descend into the scrotum. They should be palpable within the scrotum by 8 weeks of age. 

It is a condition that occurs fairly commonly in dogs and rarely in cats and can affect one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) of the testicles. In the majority of cryptorchidism cases, the testicle remains in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal (the passage through the abdominal wall into the genital region where a testicle typically descends). Occasionally, the testicle may be found in the subcutaneous tissues (just beneath the skin) in the groin area, positioned between the inguinal canal and the scrotum.

As it is a genetic condition, animals that are cryptorchid should never be used for breeding. The retained testicles continue to produce testosterone but generally fail to produce sperm.

Potential risks

Dogs that have cryptorchid testicles are at a higher risk of:

• Testicular torsion (twisting) - This is where the cord twists onto itself causing obstruction to blood flow. This is very painful and requires emergency surgery to correct.
• Testicular cancer - The risk of cancer is increased in cryptorchid dogs.
• Hormone production - Behavioural problems may arise from excess hormone production, manifesting as varying levels of aggression, heightened attractiveness to male dogs, and urine marking. When a testicle remains internal, it may overproduce female or male hormones, potentially resulting in prostate and anal gland diseases.

It is recommended that the cryptorchid testicles are surgically removed to prevent these problems from occurring later.

Surgery

Surgical removal is the only treatment for cryptorchidism. Surgery is more complicated than a typical castration as the cryptorchid testicle can be difficult to locate.

The cryptorchid testicles may be found just above the scrotum, within the inguinal area or within the abdomen. Intra-abdominal cryptorchid testicles require the surgical opening of the abdomen.

Undescended testicles can be situated anywhere between the scrotum and the kidney (deep inside the abdomen). They may be smaller than normal testicles, complicating their detection. Additionally, the testicles may be obscured within surrounding tissue. Dogs affected by this condition often require multiple surgical sites to locate and remove both testicles.

Post surgery

After cryptorchid surgery, home care requires strict rest for 10-14 days to aid in healing. Jumping up and running around is not permitted as this can cause the sutures to rupture. 

Dogs may experience more post operative discomfort compared to a regular castrate surgery.

An Elizabethan collar (e-collar) is recommended to prevent the dog from licking at the sutures.