A dog with only one testicle may have unilateral cryptorchidism, which means that the dog's other testicle did not enter the scrotum during the descent process, but stayed in the abdominal cavity or groin, causing the dog to look or feel Only one ball. If this situation is not treated in time, it is likely to cause testicular cancer, so it is recommended that owners take their dogs to the pet hospital for sterilization surgery in time.
1. What is cryptorchidism
The testicles will naturally descend from the abdominal cavity to the scrotum during the growth of male animals. During the descending process, the testicles get stuck in the abdominal cavity, the inguinal canal and outside the scrotum. site, causing the normal development of the testicles to be affected, this abnormal state is called cryptorchidism.
2. What are the effects of cryptorchidism in dogs
1. Impact on the fertility of dogs
If the dog has unilateral cryptorchidism, then it is still possible. A certain degree of fertility will be retained, but if both sides have cryptorchidism, they are basically sterile. Moreover, cryptorchidism is also hereditary to a certain extent, so it is not recommended to breed dogs with cryptorchidism.
2. Cause testicular cancer
Generally, cryptorchidism grows in the abdominal cavity or abdominal subcutaneous of dogs. The temperature of the abdominal cavity and abdominal subcutaneous is higher than the normal temperature of the testicles. If it is not If treated surgically in time, tumors may slowly form and eventually become malignant. If testicular cancer is not treated in time, serious hematopoietic dysfunction, anemia, poor coagulation and other problems will occur, which will eventually be life-threatening. Therefore, dogs with cryptorchidism should go to the hospital for treatment as soon as possible.
3. How to check cryptorchidism in dogs
Canine cryptorchidism can be checked by inspection, palpation, B-ultrasound and other methods.
1. Inspection: If the dog is about 6 months old and its testicles still have not drooped to the scrotum, the owner can observe that the dog does not have two obvious testicles or only has one obvious testicle.
2. During palpation, the owner cannot touch one testicle or both testicles in the scrotum.
3. B-ultrasound examination shows that one or both sides of the dog’s testicles are not in the scrotum, but in the abdominal cavity or other locations.
4. What to do if your dog has cryptorchidism
If your dog has cryptorchidism, you should consult your pet doctor in time. If you cannot determine the position of the testicles by touch, you will need to do a B-ultrasound.Or surgery after color Doppler ultrasound to determine the location. It is recommended that the surgery be performed when the dog is about 6 months old. At this time, the dog’s reproductive organs can be checked to see if they are healthy. At the same time, the vaccinations have been completed and the dog is relatively healthy.