What Is Cryptorchidism In Dogs What Are Its Symptoms
Canine cryptorchidism or retained testicles is a disability that affects males, preventing the testes from descending into the scrotum. Normally they drop by around ten days of age through the inguinal canal. But they may not drop, and in such cases, it is called canine cryptorchidism. There are two types:
- cryptorchidism: when neither of the two testes has dropped into the scrotum
- monorchidism: when only one of the two testes has dropped into the scrotum.
The cryptorchidism or the monorchidism are not detectable by the veterinarian until the age of three months only, by palpation the testicles being too small to be felt before this age.
Do not confuse cryptorchidism, monorchidism and anorchia
Unilateral cryptorchidism can be confused with monorchidism. In cryptorchidism, the testis is present but it is not in the right place whereas in the case of monorchidism, the second testis is absent from the scrotum because it has not developed. Anorchia refers to the absence of development of both testes and can wrongly be confused with bilateral cryptorchidism.
How Is Cryptorchidism Diagnosed
In cases of abdominal cryptorchidism, the testicle cannot be felt from the outside. Abdominal ultrasound or radiographs may be performed to determine the exact location of the retained testicle but this is not often done before surgery as it is not required to proceed with surgery. Typically only one testicle is retained, and this is called unilateral cryptorchidism.
If you have a dog that does not appear to have testicles but is exhibiting male behaviors, a hormonal test called an hCG stimulation test can be performed to see if he is already neutered. Even simpler, your veterinarian can check for penile spines which are dependent on testosterone and will disappear 6 weeks after neutering.
The Most Interesting Questions
about 18 months old
about 18 months old
- It means a German Shepherd usually stops teething when he reaches the age of 8 months. However, if your puppy is untrained then hell continue chewing for fun or to get your attention. Take your puppy to the vet so he can check if there are misalignment problems. Teething Signs and Symptoms
around 6 months
when do German Shepherds become protective
Cryptorchidism in Dogs.
The testes normally descend into the scrotum while an animal is very young.
For dogs, the descent to the final scrotal position is expected to be complete by the time the puppy is two months old.
It may occur later in some breeds, but rarely after six months.
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Why My German Shepherd Is Not Growing
Your dogs genetics determine the height of your dog. What you can do however is make sure that the dog will reach its full potential. In other words give your dog the correct raw diet it needs to grow properly. Commercial diet can make dogs grow too fast and you do not want that happening with a GSD.
Gsds Are Super Active
Therefore, so are you. Thinking of lounging on the couch? No way! German Shepherd owners know that wont happen until youve walked your dog, gone to the park, or provided some sort of exercise. This breed only thrives with enough regular exercise to burn off all that excess energy. If you dont give your GSD daily workouts, watch out. Your dog will get that energy out somehow, and most likely in ways you dont want. To be sure your German Shepherd is happy and a pleasure to live with, you will definitely get all the exercise you need too.
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Our Question This Week Was:
At what age do the male testicles drop in a large puppy? He was a stray so I dont know his agethats what Im trying to determine. His incisor baby teeth have just all been replaced and his testicles have just dropped.and his voice has changed .
Also, at what age/stage should he be neutered? Thanks very much.
Nancy Mason
Can I Just Shave My German Shepherd
Some owners mistakenly believe that shaving their dog will not only help them feel more comfortable in heat, but will also help with shedding and human allergies.
The truth is shaving a German Shepherd can be detrimental to their health and overall comfort.
Double-coated breeds use their coat to regulate their body temperature as it keeps them warm in the winter, but also cool in the summer. It also protects your dogs skin from moisture, abrasions, and harmful UV rays. By removing their natural barrier you’re exposing them to many potential health problems.
Also, some allergy sufferers believe shaving your dog will reduce allergic reactions. Also not true. Allergies are triggered from pet dander, which are particles of skin that shed all year. In fact, shaving them will make it worse, as you expose their skin even further.
And as a final warning, once you shave a double-coated dog, their hair never grows back the same. So that beautiful, silky coat will be gone forever.
If this all sounds like a lot of work, there’s a great selection of non shedding dogs out there as well!
Shayla McConnell
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Why Should I Have My Dog Castrated If He Has Cryptorchidism
If the testicles are not in their correct location in the scrotum there is an increased chance of them becoming diseased, such as developing into cancerous tissue. Also a dog with cryptorchidism is likely to have reduced fertility and would not be an ideal candidate for breeding.
I hope that I have managed to answer your question regarding the timing of castration in a cryptorchid dog and have managed to explain some of the reasoning behind why it happens and what the best plan of treatment is.
Shanika Winters MRCVS
What Is The Treatment For Cryptorchidism
Neutering and removal of the retained testicle are recommended as soon as possible. If only one testicle is retained, the dog will have two incisions – one for extraction of each testicle. If both testicles are in the inguinal canal, there will also be two incisions. If both testicles are in the abdomen, a single abdominal incision will allow access to both.
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Is It Normal For Dogs Balls To Drop
The testes develop near the kidneys within the abdomen and normally descend into the scrotum by two months of age. In certain dogs it may occur later, but rarely after six months of age. Cryptorchidism may be presumed to be present if the testicles cannot be felt in the scrotum after two to four months of age.
Testicular Cancer And Torsion
Testicular cancer and torsion can occur in dogs with untreated retained testicles. Testicular cancer occurs in cryptorchid dogs at a rate of about 10 times that of occurrence in dogs with normally descended testicles. Approximately 50 percent of all retained testicles will develop neoplastic cancer. Dogs with retained testicles should be neutered to prevent the occurrence of testicular cancer.
Torsion occurs when the retained testicle twists on the spermatic cord. This twisting can reduce or cut off the blood supply to the testicle, causing it to atrophy or die. Torsion can cause acute and severe pain when it occurs.
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How Do You Tell If My Puppys Balls Have Dropped
The testes develop near the kidneys within the abdomen and normally descend into the scrotum by two months of age. In certain dogs it may occur later, but rarely after six months of age. Cryptorchidism may be presumed to be present if the testicles cannot be felt in the scrotum after two to four months of age.
German Shepherds Are Members Of The Herding Group
So, if you own this breed, youre no stranger to a nose nudging you. Whether its a nose in the back, a nose on your leg, or even a nose in your face, your dog is just doing what comes naturally. Although this breed isnt often used to herd anymore, that herding heritage remains. So, along with the herding traits of independent thinking and intelligence, its perfectly normal for your GSD to herd human family members. Your dog might also show following ahead behavior walking in front of you while looking back to ensure youre walking in the right direction.
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Ask The Vet: When Do Puppy Balls Drop
When do puppy balls drop is something puppy owners may often wonder about. Whether you own a show dog or a pet puppy, you may be concerned when you notice that one or both of your puppy’s testicles haven’t descended yet. Is there are a specific timeframe? When should a puppy owner worry?
Help, my puppy’s balls haven’t dropped, is that normal? This is a common question veterinarians often hear about from concerned puppy owners. Nobody seems to want a puppy with retained testicles, whether it’s a show dog or pet puppy. So at what age do puppy balls drop? And most of all, when is it too late? Veterinarian Dr. Ivana provides answers.
How To Check If Dog Has Two Testicles
Male dogs are typically born with two testicles, neither of which have moved from their abdominal cavity into the scrotum. It normally takes about 8 weeks for the testicles to move, descend, into the scrotum. It can take several months for both testicles to fully descend in some dogs. Testicles must move outside the dog’s body to produce healthy, motile sperm.
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Gsds Are Incredibly Smart
If youre a German Shepherd owner, you have a strong suspicion your dog might actually be smarter than you are. After all, what cant your dog do? These dogs are known for their intelligence and many can learn a new behavior in only a few repetitions. In addition, they have a legendary desire to cooperate and work with us, a trait many see as a wish to please their humans. No wonder this breed excels at so many activities and is a top Obedience competitor. Because German Shepherds are one of the brightest breeds, be sure to be consistent, use positive reinforcement-based methods, provide plenty of mentally stimulating toys, and play brain-challenging games.
How Do Australian Shepherds Show Affection
Physical Affection This can include licking, placing a paw on you, or leaning against you. Another physical way to tell that your Australian Shepherd loves you is through eye contact. Because they can be stubborn, they also choose to give you their time and attention so eye contact conveys love and trust.
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When To Neuter / Desex
Until the exit hole called the inguinal ring closes at around 6 months of age, theres always a chance of the testicle descending.
Therefore, the best time to desex is at or after 6 month of age. The actual recommended desexing time for each dog breed can be found here. The benefits of waiting until one year for certain breeds should outweigh any risk of the testicle causing problems in the meantime.
How To Get A Ton Of Dog Hair Out
German Shepherds are a double-coated breed. Meaning there is two layers of coat: the surface coat , and a thicker under-layer called the undercoat – and it’s the undercoat that is responsible for most of the hair around your home or car.
As a groomer I use a few different techniques for deshedding your dog:
The best bang for your buck is the amazing Undercoat Rake – it’s simply a soft-pinned comb that effectively loosens up all that undercoat hair .
We’ll also use deshedding shampoos and treatments.
And finally, a high velocity dryer to literally blow the remaining coat off. This usually leaves your dog shed-free for at least a few weeks.
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Testicle Development In Dogs
How does it happen that testicular descent fails to occur in some cases? As the canine fetus develops, the testicles are formed in the abdomen, near the kidneys. Usually, as the puppy grows initially, in utero, and then, after his birth his testicles are gradually pulled from the abdomen, through the inguinal canal , and into the scrotum by the gubernaculum, a ligamentous cord connecting the testes to the scrotum. Typically, the testes pass through the inguinal canal within a week or two after birth, and reach their final scrotal position by 6 to 8 weeks of age.
However, in some cases, the gubernaculum isnt formed properly, or doesnt function properly, and the testicle stays in the abdomen, Dr. Milder explains. It can be anywhere up by the kidney, in the canal along the pathway, or even in the subcutaneous tissue next to the scrotum.
The right testicle is retained more often than the left, due to its more forward-starting position in the abdomen. Retained testicles are smaller than scrotal testicles, and abdominally retained testicles are smaller than inguinally retained testicles.
Dr. Milder says its even possible to have a late bloomer, where one or both testicles dont reach the scrotum until up to six months old. If a testicle hasnt dropped into the scrotum by six months of age, Dr. Milder and many of her colleagues say, it most likely wont.
What Causes Cryptorchidism And How Common Is It
Cryptorchidism occurs in all breeds, but the toy breeds, including toy Poodles, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers, are at higher risk. Approximately 75% of cases of cryptorchidism involve only one retained testicle while the remaining 25% involve failure of both testicles to descend into the scrotum. The right testicle is more than twice as likely to be retained as the left testicle.
Cryptorchidism affects approximately 1-3% of all dogs. The condition appears to be inherited since it is commonly seen in families of dogs, although the exact cause is not fully understood.
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Symptoms Of Cryptorchidism In Dogs
There may be no direct symptoms of cryptorchidism in dogs, but there are several complications that might occur because of it. The main sign of this condition is that one or both testicles havent descended by around the age of four months.
If an un-descended testicle is retained in the inguinal canal, a veterinarian will likely be able to feel it by using abdominal palpitations. However, if it is elsewhere in the abdomen, the vet may need an ultrasound to determine its location.
One of the complications that may occur is spermatic cord torsion. This happens when the spermatic cord twists around itself, cutting off the blood supply to the testes. This will result in severe, acute abdominal pain.
Another common complication is testicular cancer. The risk of testicular cancer is ten times higher in dogs with cryptorchidism than dogs who dont have it. Symptoms depend on the type of cancer.
Dogs with cryptorchidism may be infertile, as the testicles that havent descended generally fail to produce sperm. However, the testicles continue to produce testosterone.
There are a few developmental abnormalities that tend to occur alongside the condition. These include deformities in the legs, tail, eyes, and eyelids. Dogs may also suffer from hip dysplasia, luxating patellas , and a life-threatening heart defect called tetralogy of the Fallot.
What Are Retained Testicles
If your dog does not have two visible testicles by the second month after birth, you need to have your veterinarian check for cryptorchidism, or retained testes. While many owners think having retained testes is not a big deal and just ignore it, this can put your dog at a much higher risk of getting testicular torsion or cancer. Both of these illnesses are extremely painful and can be fatal. Cancer of the testicles is the second most often reported cancer in dogs overall and about 12 times more common in dogs with retained testes. This cancer can lead to symptoms including abdominal swelling and weight loss. Testicular torsion is usually rare, but with the testes floating around unattached in the abdomen it is much more common and a life-threatening emergency. It occurs when the testicle twists itself up and cuts off the circulation to that testicle. Extreme pain and infection are imminent and emergency surgery to remove the testicle will have to be done immediately to save your dog.
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Gsd Puppy Issues And Faq
Below are problems Ive heard of with puppies that are around 7 weeks old or older. These are not all problems I have personally experienced. For the most part these are questions Ive had myself and just havent had time to turn into blog posts, but I wanted to get them onto the website. So, I have turned this page into a poorly organized FAQ.
I will add more to this list in the future as I bump into puppy issues or random Q& A.
Puppy doesnt like their food: One or two of the pups that left here didnt want to eat when they got home. Rest assured, they will. If you get a puppy and want to change their food, feel free to do so. AFTER they have adjusted. I personally give dogs one change at a time. If they just went to a brand new home, let them stay on whatever the breeder was feeding them for a few days. If they dont eat, it is ok. This is their first time away from mom. They have just arrived in a new universe and eating some puppy chow may not be their top priority. Yes, if you pull something out of the fridge, theyll devour it, but, dont do it, just relax, they will eat.
Diabetes: Does your puppy have diabetes? 99.99% chance, No.
Joints: Do not let your puppy jump off of things. Not even the couch. Do not overwork a puppy. Their bones and joins are developing, hurting them early will result in problems. They are very eager to please you and may be excited to jump in and out of cars. You will need to proactively prevent them from jumping they will try. Be careful!