testicles not decended - Page 1

i bought my pupp at 8 weeks and the vet report from the breeder said both testicles were decended a week later i took him for his first jag and she said there were only one any advice on this and should i be worried. any info would be apprietiated thanks anne

 Did you ask the breeder or your vet about how this works ? 

yes i did the breeder said they were definetly down and to keep her informed and the vet wouldnt commit just said wait till his next jag at 12 weeks and he would check then but i am a bit worried as i have only had females in the past not males so dont know how common this is anne

Hi Anne,

Cryptorchidism or retained testicles occurs in approximately 5-7% of all male dogs. Right now you just need to wait and see.  Although the information in veterinary literature varies somewhat, both testicles are usually within the scrotum by the time the animal is six weeks of age and they should definitely be there by the time the puppy is eight to ten weeks of age. If one or both testicles are not present by twelve weeks of age, then you definitely have reason for concern.  There is always the exception and I've heard of some descending after three months.

This is a disorder that may be passed from generation to generation, so a dog with cryptorchidism should never be bred. Also, last I heard, a dog with cryptorchidism can't be shown, at least not under the AKC or SV.

There are also some health related issues with a dog with an undescended testicle. Due to the potential for an increased incidence of torsion or cancer within the retained testicle, it is strongly recommended that a dog with this discorder be neutered. The neutering itself can be more involved, depending on the location of the testicle. 
 
I hope all works out for you and your pup.

The best,
Char

 Quote:  Due to the potential for an increased incidence of torsion or cancer within the retained testicle

Pretty much propaganda. I think I saw the actual numbers that someone came up with, and it is like a .0003% better chance. 

I have had plenty of pups whose testicles were hovering at that age. I have seen it as late as 7 or 8 months, but that was a pup that I bred, really tight breeding, and I thought he was a teradactyl at that age. I couldn't see or feel anything. He dropped, but that is a freak thing, I would wait a bit. I have had dogs that had one testicle at 7 weeks and that was all there ever was maybe 5 times. The pup that both dropped late was #6, and I had written him off as far as having anything drop. I usually hear of them not dropping if they are not present. I would take the pup back if it doesn't definately show up in a week. You should at least be able to feel it.

yer, The first time I used a dog with a German dog in it's pedigree I bred a Puppy with only one. I can feel it way up but can't persuad it to come down. He will have to have it taken out along with the other one as we don't want a repeat now do we.

Jeff, I guess it depends on what study you read, but even if that is the case the dog should be neutered anyway to prevent the defect from being passed on. Of course it remains to be seen whether Anne's dog will drop it's testicle or not and hopefully is will.
Char

 So you would always neuter a dog with one testicle without any consideration to what the dog is. Interesting. I would send the pup back to the breeder.

I don't agree with Jeff, why neuter if you have no intention of ever breeding from this pup.

Why not have the retained testicle removed only in the next couple of years, the remaining testicle will easily function producing the desired testosterone for the physical and mental development, this will especially be dependent on his role i.e PPD or Sport. (Not suitable breeding material obviously)

If you have purchased this pup as a Stud Dog then you may wish to send him back, otherwise don't be hasty, just wait. There are many examples of GSD where the testicle hasn't descended for 10 months.
 or more. The risk of testicular cancer really only increases after the age of 3 for the undescended testicle.

This only becomes a big issue if this is  breeding animal.

Ronin

Yes, if I got the dog as a pet I would wait until he was  physically mature (I didn't mean to imply it should be done ASAP) and then have him neutered. Waiting slightly increases the risk of problems, but that is what I would do, because as we all know, there are definite advantages to waiting for a dog to develop. If I purchased the dog for sport or work I would do what Ronin suggested and remove the only undescended testicle.   

I know someone who had a dog with cryptorchidism and she left things alone. The dog  died of cancer at age 6 and it was due to leaving the undescended testicle- no question. Statistics are comforting, unless it is your dog.  

In the meantime, I would still not give up hope that this pup will be ok. I read a post here on the board a while back where a Lab pup took 8 months to drop.