Cryptorchidism... Help.

Garnet · #1 08-04-2008, 09:17 AM

We recently found out that Odin has cryptorchidism. Neither of his testicles have dropped. They are not visible at all and the vet says that they are probably up in his abdominal cavity; he can not feel them lower down.

He asked us if we got Odin from a breeder and we did. He then said, "You should take this dog back and get a refund." Obviously I said NO WAY! He explained that it's a hereditary condition and that the breeder should have known about it. He also said that cancer can result if we don't have him operated on, but he recommends that we wait a few more months and see if the testicles drop on their own. He is going to be 1 year old this month so I can't imagine that happening.

I am extremely upset with myself for not realizing this before. I kept thinking that he was just a late bloomer and when we took him for check-ups before (at a different clinic), everyone said he was perfectly healthy and normal.

Anyway, we have informed the breeder about this and she swears that none of his relatives have ever had this problem. Is it even remotely possible that she truly is innocent? She is a member of various Boxer clubs and associations, and she has many show dogs that have been in commercials and everything. I could report her if need be and we do have a 1-year health guarantee on him. I would hate to do this unless I have a major, legitimate reason to... if she is lying to lots of people like this and breeding defective dogs, then she deserves to have her reputation ruined.

Basically I'm not sure what to do in this situation. I would like to know if any of you have experienced this and if you know anything else helpful about cryptorchidism. Also, do you think my vet's advice is correct or should we get him operated on ASAP? Obviously, just to make myself clear, I would NEVER consider getting rid of Odin and receiving a refund under ANY circumstances. He is like a child to me.

Thanks.

**gmacleod** · #2 08-04-2008, 09:32 AM

Yes, it is possible that the breeder is innocent.

Cryptorchidism is not uncommon. And yes, it is an inherited condition. Breeding a dog who is a crytorchid greatly increases the risk that any offspring will also be crytorchid - which is why crytorchid dogs must not be used for breeding. However, just because the risk is far higher from cryptorchid dogs doesn't mean that a dog with normally descended testicles will never sire a cryptorchid

It happens quite frequently.

Actually, the only thing I find slightly surprising from your post is that *none* of his relatives have been cryptorchid. It's really not that rare.

Incidentally, whilst your vet might be exaggerating somewhat about the genetic link (i.e. the assumption that his sire "must" have been cryptorchid himself), he's not exaggerating about the need to have him neutered. Retained testicles have quite a high risk of turning cancerous later in life, and can also wrap themselves around other internal organs. Plus, of course, a cryptorchid dog can't ever be bred (but then, a pet dog that isn't shown shouldn't be bred anyway) due to the higher risk of cryptorchid offspring. But in any case, it is better for his long term health to be neutered anyway.

Incidentally, there is no point in waiting for his testicles to drop. As your vet ought to be perfectly well aware, the inguinal canal through which the testicles descend CLOSES permanently at around 4 months of age. I've heard of plenty people waiting in vain for the missing testicles to arrive up to a year old - but never yet heard of it happening

The only possible chance of them arriving past 4 months is if the canal *fails* to close normally - but even in that case, it would be pretty surprising if it stayed open an entire 8 months longer (a few weeks, maybe - but 8 months? Most unlikely).

A year old is generally a pretty good time for neutering - whether cryptorchid or not.

Garnet · #3 08-04-2008, 09:48 AM

Thank you so much for the quick and informative reply. We were going to get him neutered at about a year of age anyway and would never consider breeding him, so at least this isn't devastating... as long as he never experiences complications because of this, anyway.

Also, it's possible that one or more of his relatives actually is cryptorchid and she just doesn't know about it. I have seen Odin's father so I know he definitely wasn't, at least.

But Odin should almost definitely be okay once he's operated on and this is corrected, right? From what I've read so far the outcome is almost always positive, but I am still worried of course. I think I will try to schedule his surgery for later this year when it's not so hot (we're in Texas, ugh) because he is already miserable even though he's indoors 95% of the time... only goes outside to play and potty. I would hate for him to be in pain and uncomfortably hot at the same time, plus his birthday is in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again, and if anyone has had a dog with cryptorchidism I would like to hear about that experience as well. Just to kinda know what to expect when he does get surgery and go through recovery and all of that...

liamsmom · #4 08-04-2008, 10:30 AM

Our Moby was crytorchid. Only one of his testicals descended normally. The other one was in the inguinal canal. Our vet didn't ask us to wait to see if the testical would drop on its own. Like Gmacleod said and our vet, too...the testicals don't usually drop on their own if they are retained. And, a retained testical (or two) can cause major health issues down the road. So....We had him neutered at 7 months old and he did wonderfully. The only difference between Moby's neuter and our other two males' was that Moby had two incisions. One on his scrotum for the normal testical and another on his underside in the fold of his hind leg (inguinal) where the vet needed to go "find" the undescended testical. And, thankfully, Moby's recovery was uneventful and normal.
Yes...your boy should be fine!!!! The outcome is always a positive one.
I'm sure your Odin will do fine when you do have him neutered. Try not to worry too much.

MikaMay · #5 08-04-2008, 11:15 AM

A little more info....I've always been told that it is the dam, in fact, who often passes this condition on. go figure.

But it is true...this is not at all uncommon and if you purchased him to be a pet, then there would be no reason to *go after* his breeder.
Basically, it means when the neuter is done, the vet will have to go a bit deeper than usual to find the testicles, so the surgery is a little more involved than with a dog who's testicles have descended. But he should be fine.

Garnet · #6 08-04-2008, 11:58 AM

Thank you all so much! I feel a lot better about everything now and I have a better grasp on the situation. I'm sure he will be fine. I'm glad to know, also, that the breeder probably is "innocent" and didn't know that Odin was at risk. I was afraid she wasn't as good of a person as we originally thought.

Rbucher · #7 08-04-2008, 03:56 PM

Our little Shuti had only 1 testicle descend. We just had him neutered at 7 months. He had 3 incisions but he as so great. he didn't have a cone thing and he really didn't lick a whole lot. maybe after the stitches were out. He really healed nicely too. He was back to his normal self the 3rd day. I am sure your baby will be just as good.

**Jan** · #8 08-04-2008, 06:28 PM

Markus had an undescended testicle too. His neutered was more like a spay as they had to go into the abdomen to find the wayward testicle. My breeder actually offered to pay the the extra cost involved.

Odin will be fine, but it is very important that he be neutered due to the cancer risk.

Good luck!

BxrMommieNAZ · #9 08-05-2008, 05:11 PM

My Tyson had one testicle that was normal one that was undescended. He ended up with 3 incisions with his neuter and had to be crated for 10 days with NO activity for 10 days and minimal for 4 following that but after the 2 full weeks he was 100% back to normal and able to romp and play without issue. I had him done at 6 months and he did just great now at a year you'd never know anything was ever "weird". I would definitely get it done but I wouldn't make yourself crazy about it either. My vet told me once it was done he was no different than any other neutered male.

Good luck.

tasham · #10 08-12-2008, 07:55 AM

Our Cyrus was cryptorchid as well. Neither of his testicles descended. We had him neutered at 7 months (which was in our contract with our breeder anyway to have him neutered before the age of 8 months). I talked to our breeder about it as well, and she assured me none of the males in his line were cryptorchid that she was aware of. I guess it happens from time to time. I don't think it's always irresponsible breeding practices to blame. We were planning on neutering him regardless, so really it wasn't an issue for us. The surgery is a little more extensive for cryptorchid males, but Cyrus was healed up and normal within 10 days. Good luck! :-)