Testicular health can be a real issue for male dogs, especially issues with undescended testicles (cryptochidism) also called retained testicles, which can eventually result in cancerous growths. Ordinarily, a dog’s testicles will descend within the first few weeks of life, but in some cases they do not descend on their own and may have to be removed. Occasionally there are dogs with one testicle only, and this may result from cryptochidism where only one testicle descended and the other was retained in the body or it may be that in its early development only one testicle was ever formed. In the latter case, there is really no dog health concern at all, though the trait may be passed along in reproduction.
Later in life a dog can have issues with blood flow around the testicles or infection, both of which can result in pain and inflammation (epididymitis or orchitis) of the male sex organs. Explore the user contributions below for pet care tips that may help cure your dog’s testicular health issues.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT I WOULD LOVE IF ANYONE COULD ANSWER. THE VET TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY DOG ONLY HAS ONE TESTICLE THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO FIND THE OTHER AND REMOVE BOTH! ! BUT I DON’T WANT HIM TO HAVE ANY SURGERY THAT ISN’T AN ABSOLUTE MUST. WE ARE TOLD THAT THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE HIDDEN TESTICLE COULD BECOME CANCEROUS DOWN THE ROAD, BUT WE FEED OUR PETS ONLY HOLISTIC FOODS AND EVEN A LITTLE H202 IN THEIR WATER AND THEY’VE NEVER BEEN SICK A DAY IN THERE LIVES. I KNOW HOW TO PREVENT AND EVEN CURE CANCER IN PETS FROM READING UP ON HULDA CLARKS FINDINGS – SO DO I HAVE A REASON TO WORRY? TELL ME IF I’M WRONG, I DON’T MIND BEING STRAIGHTENED OUT. IS THIS SURGERY NECESSARY? ARE THEY BEING OVER CAUTIOUS?
CAN ANYONE HELP ME TO KNOW WHAT TO DO? I’D HATE TO HAVE HIM GO THROUGH THAT AND THE DRUGS HE WOULD NEED IF IT ISN’T AS BAD AS THEY MAKE IT SOUND. I READ OF A BOXER THAT WENT ON TO HAVE SEVERAL LITTERS WITH ONLY ONE TESTICLE. ANY THOUGHTS ARE WELCOME!
Hi Mama,
In my twenties, I rescued a dog (a malamute) when I lived in Los Angeles whom I thought had been fixed but actually had undescended testicles. 2 vets missed it, finally after I had him 2 years, a holistic vet in the Valley figured it out after I told him all the trouble my dog was getting in at the dog park around other male dogs. He also told me get them removed asap because of the possibility of cancer. It was an expensive surgery, but I decided to do it rather than risk him getting cancer. Turned out to be an glitch free operation and a fast recovery. He lived to be 15 and never got cancer. Hope this helps.
I had a golden retriever growing up with an undescended testicle. We were never advised to do anything about it. Brandy was an amazing dog, he could climb trees and other amazing abilities. He did live to about 12 or 13 but died of blockage due to tumorous growth of his undescended testicle. We had to put him down. So, I think your vet advised you correctly.
I have a boxer that is 16 months old. His testicles never dropped. Can he breed or what do we need to check for? Thanks.