The "cryptorchidism" in dogs must have been heard of by all senior shovelers. From a medical point of view, cryptorchidism in dogs refers to the failure of one or two testicles to fall into the scrotum, which is a manifestation of dysplasia.

It is worth noting that this "failure to descend into the scrotum" means that the dog's testicles may stay anywhere on this "journey", even in the dog's abdominal cavity!

Then what exactly is cryptorchidism?

Cryptchilaria, also known as residual testicles or undetected testicles, refers to the fact that one or two testicles have not yet developed in the scrotum when a male puppy grows to 6 months old. Typically, the testicles appear within six to eight weeks. However, some dogs' testicles may remain in the abdomen or never develop. Even dogs with cryptorchidism can still have fertility, depending on the number and location of the testicles they have left.

Cryptchisis is common in male dogs, with an incidence rate of up to 10%. This condition is one of the most common congenital defects in purebred dogs (11%), and according to the study, the incidence of Siberian husky dogs is 14%. Although its genetics are not entirely clear, it is believed to be a recessive inheritance, and possibly polygenic inheritance. Some speculate that this is a gender-restricted autosomal recessive inheritance, but this inheritance is unlikely to be a simple recessive inheritance. Cryptchilaria can be bilateral (causing infertility) or unilateral, or inguinal or abdominal (or both). Because cryptorchidism is a hereditary trait, sick dogs should not reproduce and should be castrated. Once this condition occurs, the dog's parents are considered carriers of the defect. Litter dogs may be normal dogs, or carriers or cryptorchidized patients. Moreover, the incidence of testicular cancer with this condition is also very high, especially support cell tumors, so cryptorchidized dogs should consider castration. Dogs with testicles indwelling abdominal cavity have 13.6 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than normal dogs.

Causes of cryptorchidism in dogs

During the development of the dog, the testicles are located in their abdomen. Typically, when a male dog is 6 to 8 weeks old, the testicles enter the scrotum through the inguinal canal. When the puppy is 6 months old, all testicles should be completely hanging. However, sometimes one or two testicles remain in the abdomen, causing the puppy to not hang normally when mature, which will lead to cryptorchidism in the canine. Most owners should check for this lesion before bringing their puppies home, as any breed of male dogs may experience testicular residues (cryptorchidism). This disease has strong genetic factors, which are considered autosomal recessive inheritance. But other causes of cryptorchidism remain a mystery.

Common cryptorchidis breeds

Alaskan sled dogs

- Boxer dog

- Chihuahua

- Dachshund (mini type)

- Bulldog

- Maltese

- Miniature Schnauzer

- Pomeranian sled dog

- Poemerges

- Poker(toys and mini)

- Pug

- Hiloty Shepherd

- Siberian husky

- Whippet

- Yorkshire terrier

- Yorkshire terrier

Cryptickydis usually has no symptoms and rarely has pain. In fact, many owners do not know that their dog has cryptorchidism. But treating this disease is very important because dogs with cryptorchidism have a significantly increased risk of testicular cancer.

What risks will increase in dogs?

- Testicular infection

- Testicular tumor

- Acute abdominal pain (caused by testicular residues)

- Hair loss

- External genital darkening (pigmentation)

- Estrogenization (estrogen secretion by support cell tumors in the testicles)

- Testicular skin relaxation

Although the symptoms of cryptorchidism are usually mild or less obvious, there are certain risks in this disease. The incidence of retaining testicles is much higher than that of normal testicles, including infection and testicular cancer. They are also prone to "distortion", which leads to extremely severe acute abdominal pain. Some cryptorchidism dogs are able to make females pregnant because only one testicle is removed and the other is not removed.

Treatment Methods

Treatment Methods for cryptorchidism are always achieved through castration (removal of bilateral testicles), and most people believe that cryptorchidism dogs should not consider reproduction (fertility). Their father, male brothers, and any male offspring increase the chance of becoming a gene carrier, and even if they have no symptoms on their own, they may be passed on to offspring.

Cryptchitchises are difficult to detect, and transabdominal ultrasound can help veterinarians find testicles left in the abdomen. However, cryptorchiectomy is more expensive than normal sterilization because it requires an abdominal ultrasound. In rare cases, we can massage the retained testicles into the scrotum with our hands, which is simpler and cheaper. Re-transferring retained testicles into the scrotum by surgery is often considered an immoral procedure. After cryptorchidism surgery, it takes a while for the dog to recover. It should be well cultivated and its activity should be limited within one to two weeks until the surgical incision completely reduces the swelling and heals.

Special reminder

Male dogs with cryptorchidism are not allowed to be used for breeding! If you want your dog to reproduce, please make sure that its testicles develop normally!