Question Re: Testicle Descending - Page 1

Hi everyone. I wanted to get some feedback and advice regarding a male puppy I have. Just took him to the vet for another round of puppy shots and the vet says that only one testicle is down. Doesn’t feel the other one. The breeder said that sometimes testicles don’t descend until 6 months. I’ve never had a male that had problems with testicles descending so I wanted to know what breeders thought. This puppy was bought as breeding quality and has excellent lines, so needless to say, I’m very concerned. The vet pretty much gave me the worst case scenario. That in all his years of being a vet he’s never seen testicles that haven’t already descended at 8 weeks descend past the age of three months, that my puppy could, in theory sire a litter, but that this would be a genetic fault that would be passed on, that testicles that don’t descend can become tumors and to ultimately neuter him. Is there hope the other testicle will descend?

I had the same scenerio with my vets info many years ago. It was also quite disturbing. I called WSU and talked to a specialist. He said it can take up to 9 months for testicle(s) to descend. He personally had not seen it past that time. It is true if it does not descend it is genectic and your dog should realistically not be used for breeding because it could pass on. Also true he should be neutored or at least the retained testicle removed to prevent cancerous tumors. Alot of this depends on when the linguinal (sp) ring closes. If the testicle is down it will stay down, if its still up in the abdominal area it will stay there. I would advise calling the breeder so they have a heads up there may be a problem, for their reference to future breedings and for if he was guaranteed breeding quality. Most guarantees would cover this but depending on how it reads, you may need to return your pup...

Thanks. Vet felt around and said he couldn't feel the one testicle. However, when my puppy stood up, the vet said that he was holding the other one high as well. If he couldn't feel the one testicle does it mean it isn't there? Is there anything I can do to perhaps help it to drop. The puppy is almost 14 weeks so I don't know whether to do anything right now or just wait and see if everything works out. Will certainly let the breeder know of the situation as he was sold as breeding quality.

There is a series of hormone injections that can sometimes help to bring the testicles down, I believe this is permitted and the dog can be used for breeding if it is successful, but surgery to locate the testicle is not permitted. The hormone method is more successful the younger the puppy, and declines seriously after 4 months. I knew a puppy that had this treatment, he had none of the testicles descended at 3 months but both could be felt. One descended immediately after the treatment, but the other (which was smaller and less developed) never did. I have also heard of a couple of cases when this treatment did work, but its doubtful anyway how ethical it is to carry out this treatment, as we know the condition is hereditary. I have bred a couple of puppies who were monorchid at 8 weeks, I told the buyers and sold them as pets, which I think any responsible breeder should do, as new owners often do not think to check themselves. Though everyone has heard of testicles descending at 6 months I think it is unusual - any comments?

Hello AllAboutShepherds, It is unfortunate that only one testicle is down at the age of 14 weeks. People say that testicles can descend till the age of 6 to 9 months. Recently I had same experience with one of my puppy. And I was adviced by my vet and a experienced breeder that it is very rare that another testicle will descend. There one harmonal injection which you can use but the chanced are very very poor. So my advice to you may be you wait for some more time around 2 weeks get double checked by another vet and get sonography done so that you will come to know where exactly is the other testicle. But as you are looking at this puppy as a show and breeding prospect please keep aside you emotions and get rid of it as soon as possible. There is always a better puppy next time. Best of luck.

So sorry to hear of your problem. This can happen in the best of bloodlines. I also had problems with a male pup who had one testicle that didn't drop. By 14 weeks age, the breeder told me to come back and get a replacement puppy because he didn't believe it would ever descend at that point. I've heard stories about testicles dropping up to 8 months old, but this is not common. The retained testicle is a cancer risk so if you keep your dog you should have him neutered and the the retained testicle completely removed IMO - consult your vet for the appropriate procedure. Best wishes! Yvette

I know of a pup sold as a pet that had his other testicle descend at 10 months! Unusual, but true. Debby ebinezer052899@yahoo.com

Thanks everyone for your advice. I guess we'll just have to play the waiting game for a bit longer and see what happens!

I think you should wait and see. At this point it can't hurt. Also I think the best position to have your pup when you are checking would be in a sitting position. I wouldn't be checking all the time either, it is tempting in hopes it will be there, but I think sometime it could cause it to stay up inside.

Hello AllAboutShepherds. I have had puppies in the past that one testicle has not dropped and as said previous posts the older the puppy is the less likely it is to drop now. After saying that I had a male that I kept, and at 8 weeks old I felt one of his testicles, the other one I felt in his what appeared to be near his groin area this was around 10 weeks old. I must say I had never had this before and kept him until he was 5 months, the vet had said that it was unlikely it would ever go into the scrotum, and he did not believe hormone injections worked, so we did not go down that route. I let the puppy go to one of my friends who brought him to see me when he was 6 months old, when I felt he had two desended testicles!! I didnt know whether to laugh or cry lol! But prior to giving him to my friend I asked about castration, and strangely enough my vet told me that here in the UK most, if not all vets are not castrating, as research has concluded there is not much evidence of cancer of the undescended testicle in recent times. Now after saying that I am not sure of this evidence, and have not heard too much about castrating these days, but would like to hear other opinions on this matter as one 'expert' opinion is not always correct in my book. Good luck with your lad, Best Regards, Sting