TL;DR: Cryptorchidism (an undescended testicle) is not an immediate emergency, but it requires surgical removal to prevent long-term risks such as cancer or testicular torsion.
What is cryptorchidism and how does it affect my dog?
Cryptorchidism is the medical term for an undescended testicle, a condition where one or both testes fail to move down into the scrotum. In adult dogs, these retained testicles are usually found either in the abdomen or the inguinal canal (the groin area). While the dog may appear completely healthy, the internal testicle continues to produce hormones but cannot produce viable sperm due to the higher internal body temperature.
Is an undescended testicle in my dog a medical emergency?
- Urgency Level: Low. This condition does not require an immediate emergency room visit.
- Schedule a routine appointment with your veterinarian to address the condition.
- Retained testicles are significantly more likely to develop cancerous tumors over time.
- Be aware of the risk of testicular torsion (painful twisting of the spermatic cord), which would constitute a sudden emergency.
How can a photo of my dog's groin area help with veterinary triage?
- A clear photo helps a professional determine if there is visible swelling, asymmetrical bulging, or skin irritation.
- Visual evidence allows the veterinary team to better assess the probable location of the retained testicle.
- Photos help rule out other visible complications, such as inguinal hernias.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Cryptorchidism, the failure of one or both testicles to descend into the scrotum, is a common inherited condition in dogs, with testicles normally descending by 6-16 weeks of age, although descent as late as 10 months has been documented. Unilateral cryptorchidism, while more common than bilateral, does not result in infertility due to sperm production from the normally descended testicle; however, affected animals should not be bred, as both parents are considered carriers. The undescended testicle may be located anywhere from just caudal of the kidney to within the inguinal canal and can be identified via palpation or ultrasonography. Due to the increased risk of neoplasia and torsion in retained testes, bilateral orchiectomy is recommended, and attempts to induce testicular descent with medical therapy or orchiopexy are considered unethical; furthermore, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels are high (>1 ng/mL) if a dog is completely neutered, aiding in diagnosis.
Chapter: Urology, Theriogenology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1330)