I have a 5 month old puppy with just one descended testicle, I know that there is still time for the other one to drop but I am just 'weighing up' all the options. I think that most of you will say to have him castrated due to the risk of the remaining testicle becoming cancerous later, but I really want to show him (I DO NOT want to use him at stud because I know that this is a defect which could be passed on to his offspring).

So my thinking is this, human boys with only one testicle have a small op to release the testicle so that it falls to its correct place in the scrotum.  Can a similar procedure be done for dogs?  If so, please could you give me the name and phone number of a Vet that will do this op.

Please reply here or in private to:
connie_boswell2000@yahoo.co.uk

Thanks in advance
Connie

If you did this, it is unlikely you'd be able to show him anyway, because you would have to report the op to the KC and apply for permission to show, which would be very unlikely to be granted, as the surgery would alter the 'natural conformation' of the dog.

If it hasn't dropped by the time he's about 12-18 months the retained one should be removed, but the normal one can stay in place.

Thanks Jeangenie for reminding me about the 'natural conformation' thing - it had slipped my mind.  I have done a search on here and have read lots about the whys and wherefores of having the retained testicle removed/castration/even replacing the missing one with some other orb!

I am still wondering about my original question, whether or not a procedure to help the testicle into the correct place is feasible (sp).

Can anyone help?

Connie

I don't know re. the op but leave it at least another 6 months.  Anton's were up and down for quite a while and didn't properly come down until he was 6 months.

Hi there, we were in the same position a few months ago and looked at all the options with our vet, he told us the operation would be a simple one but no vet he knew of would do it as it is considered highly unethical, there are some vets who will try a course of injections of the hormone HCG whitch is totally harmless other than it matures the testicles a little faster so in theory they are heavier and if they are going to come down this will encourage them, as I say it is harmless and may be worth asking your vet but you still must not breed on from him, ultimately as our vet said if they are destined to come down they will  in time,  he suggested leaving him for 18 months before even thinking of castrating as the testicle usually only causes problems when your dog is much older if left.

Unfortunately the decision was taken out of our hands when the testicle inside became twisted and he had to have an emergency operation to remove it, just keep an eye out for this as he was in incredible pain it doesn't happen often but when it does it is awful. Hope that helps.

Debbie