Dog Cryptorchidism

Dog Cryptorchidism

In cryptorchidism, a testicle is retained in the abdomen or in the abdominal ring between the layers of muscle through which it normally descends. In adult dogs, surgery is recommended as for best treatment. Retained testicles may cause undependable dispositions in dogs and a significant percentage become cancerous. The operation for testicles retained in the abdomen is equivalent in risk to ordinary spaying operations.

The following is the information on Dog Cryptorchidism

Dog Cryptorchidism Information

• Cryptorchidism occurs when either one or both testicles fail to travel from the abdomen to the scrotum. It is a very common disorder among both dogs and cats where the incidence is more among the dogs. It is found that about every three incidences of the disease among dogs take place with every one incidence among cats. This disorder is more common among purebred dogs.
• This disorder is a genetic disorder and the dog breeds that are mainly affected by the disorder are miniature schnauzers, Chihuahuas, cocker spaniels, and such. Though the above-mentioned breeds mainly suffer from the disease, any breed of dog can get exposed to the disorder.
• The dogs are generally sterile that have both testicles in the abdomen. When the temperature of the abdomen is 4 to 5 degrees more than that of the scrotum. As a result of which the testes in the abdomen fail to manufacture sperm as they get damaged in high temperatures. This further affects the production of the male hormone called testosterone leading to non-male-like characters in otherwise male dogs.
• In case the testes happen to be having a single testis descending in the scrotum or the testes though present in the abdomen are close to the skin of the scrotum the dogs may be fertile. But being a responsible pet owner you are recommended not to breed such dogs as the disorder is genetic and the incidence of disease would transfer from the father to the son.
• Cryptorchid dogs are prone to the development of a certain type of cancer known as the Sertoli cell tumor. The Sertoli cells are the cells found in the testes that nourish the sperm and are also responsible for the secretion of feminine hormones like estrogen. The symptoms that are associated with the cancer are thin skin texture, loss of hair, an aplastic form of anemia, enlarged breasts, and getting attracted to other male dogs. The hair loss related to the cancer is very unique as the loss of hair takes place bilaterally on both sides of the body of the pet.
• In most cases the Sertoli tumors are cancerous but they can be treated successfully with chemotherapy.

The best possible way to get rid of such incidences of cancerous tumors the vet surgeon to remove the testes or relocate the testis in the scrotum. Another characteristic of pets with cryptorchidism is that they have twisted or torsion spermatic chords or the duct of the testicle.

See more: Dog Deficiency Disease