What is cryptorchidism?

A cryptorchid dog is one that has a testicle that hasn't descended. In some cases, dogs can be bilaterally cryptorchid which means that neither testicle has descended.

The word cryptorchid is a latin word which means, "hidden flower". This is appropriate, as one or both of the dog's testicles will be hidden!

How do testicles descend?

Every animal is born with gonads inside of the abdomen, not far from their kidneys. When an animal has a Y chromosome, the androgen produced causes these gonads to become testicles. (If there is no Y chromosome, then they become ovaries and stay permanently inside of the abdomen.) While the animal is still a fetus, increasing amounts of testosterone in the system cause the testicles to start their descent into the scrotum. It is believed that the rising testosterone level causes contractions in a ligament called the gubernaculum. The gubernaculum connects the testicles to the scrotum and the contraction of the gubernaculum pulls the testicle into the scrotum. On its way, it travels through the inguinal canal.

At what age should the testicles be down?

Most normal puppies will have two testicles in the scrotum by 6 weeks of age. However, in some dogs it can take up to 4 months to appear. In rare cases, it will take up to 7 months. If one or both of the testicles are not in the scrotum by 7 months then it is extremely unlikely that it will appear.

Is cryptorchidism genetic?

Yes, this is definitely a genetic condition. This means that affected dogs should not be bred. It is believed that this is an autosomal recessive trait. However, we don't know this for sure.

Here are some facts about the heritability of cryptorchidism in dogs

• If a cryptorchid male is bred, he is extremely likely to produce male puppies that are cryptorchid and female puppies that are carriers for cryptorchidism.
• A female dog can be a carrier for cryptorchidism and can produce puppies that are cryptorchid.
• It is considered unethical to breed a dog that is either cryptorchid or a carrier for cryptorchidism.

Can a cryptorchid dog breed?

Most cryptorchid dogs will have reduced fertility. However, they still can breed and produce offspring. But, as mentioned above, a cryptorchid dog should not be bred for ethical reasons. We don't want to produce more dogs with this genetic condition.

Health concerns for cryptorchid animals.

Every cryptorchid male should be neutered. There are a few reasons for this. First of all, we do not want to breed these animals as they will likely pass on the condition to their puppies (see above). But, there are also some serious health risks associated with cryptorchidism:

• Cancer: A retained testicle is 13 times more likely to become cancerous later on in life.
• Testicular Torsion: A retained testicle can suddenly twist around in the abdomen and cut off its blood supply. This is a life threatening and painful emergency.
• Behavioral problems: Dogs with cryptorchidism will often have more testosterone related behavior issues than regular dogs. We believe this is because the retained testicle has more blood supply because it is at a higher temperature when it is in the abdomen. This means you may see an increase in aggression, urinating on things, mounting things, etc.

How much does cryptorchid surgery cost?

When your dog is neutered, if he is cryptorchid there will be an extra cost added on to the neuter surgery. These costs can vary depending on how much time the surgeon has to spend on the surgery. In my clinic, these are the added costs:

• Inguinal cryptorchid: Add $100 to the price of the neuter surgery
• Abdominal cryptorchid: Add $166 to the price of the neuter surgery

***These prices may vary in other veterinary practices. The price may increase if a dog has both testicles hidden rather than just one, or if an abdominal testicle is really difficult for the vet to find.

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