Ask a vet online – ‘my dog only has one testicle down – what is the best age to have him neutered?’

Cryptorchidism wouldn’t usually cause vomiting UNLESS the retained testicle had twisted – which would be an emergency anyway. I think you need to go back to the vet and get your dog assessed if the vomiting has gone on for that long, as this is potentially fatal from dehydration whatever has caused it!

It is theoretically possible for a testicle to be traumatically dislocated, but it would require incredible force and cause severe pain. So I very much doubt that your sister’s children could have done it without her noticing!
It’s far more likely that he is congenitally cryptorchid – this is a very common issue. I really do think that surgery is a good idea though, because the other testicle is at a much higher risk of becoming cancerous or twisted. 5 years old is in the prime of life for a smaller breed dog like a Chihuahua, so I’d definitely not have any serious concerns about surgery, and I’d get it sorted as soon as possible, before anything nasty can happen.

Anorchia (congenital absence of testicles) is very rare, but it does happen! And no, affected dogs, as far as we know, don’t seem to suffer from it any more than a castrated dog would, although in some cases there are other issues such as kidney problems that occur at the same time.

If the testicle is twisted now, it needs out, now: this is an excruciatingly painful condition, and can be life threatening.
However, in regard to your wider point, yes it is relatively safe to castrate most dogs at 4 months in terms of the surgical risk; however, except for very small and toy breeds, there is an increased risk of later developmental complications such as some forms of joint dysplasia in castrating before puberty. In addition, a small but significant percentage of retained testicles will drop on their own once testosterone levels start to rise at the beginning of puberty, so it might be worth having a chat with the vets about delaying for a while.

Complete bilateral anorchia (no testicles at all) is fantastically rare – so rare that no-one has ever studied it in dogs until this year (an interesting paper here). In fact, it’s so rare, it’s probably less than 1 in a million dogs. So, 999,999 in a million, if the vet had offered the blood test, you would have had to pay for the test AND then have the surgery – and personally, I don’t think that would have been a sensible choice! The reason for doing the blood test is to rule out other very rare – but slightly less so! – situations where the testes are somewhere else in the body, and not in the normal location. The problem then is, if it comes back positive, what are you going to do? Go back in? But they’ve already had a very good look around, clearly – so what then?
I think in this situation, the vets did the most reasonable thing, and you need to have a conversation with them as to where they would go if the test came back positive!
Clearly, if there are any testicles, there is an increased risk of testicular cancer. But if there aren’t, he’s essentially “pre-neutered”.
If it helps, I think you and your dog have been FANTASTICALLY unlucky…

Ideally, we’d usually say 3 months after her last season – it’s really unusual for her to go into another season only 12 weeks after the last, so I’d definitely have a chat with your vet about that, as it might mean there’s something else going on.

It’s pretty unlikely, but not impossible for them to descend after 6 weeks: I’ve seen one or two that did, but the vast majority of the time, if their testicles aren’t down by this age, they won’t make it down later, especially as once puberty starts properly and they begin to grow, they won’t fit through the inguinal canal anyway.
So your vet is probably right, it’s only a very small chance that they’ll make an appearance under the influence of pubertal hormones.

That’s good to hear!
Yes, it definitely does sound like a behavioural issue. The only other thing I’d be wondering about would be low grade hip arthritis making it painful to mount?

Blue really isn’t normal except in very, very cold weather – suggesting a risk of frostbite. If that’s not the case, I’d suggest a vet check as there might be something else going on – testicular cancer or a twisted testicle are both possibilities at this age that could explain these changes. Good luck!

If he mated and has at least one testicle down, a very high chance: he only needs one testicle to produce sperm! A healthy dog of that size would almost always be fertile by 10 months old: it’s roughly the equivalent of late teens/early 20s in humans.
If he is azoospermic (no sperm), then it is of course very unlikely that she is in pup, but it also suggests there’s some other health issue with him.

Let’s start with the ascending testicle – this is really common in almost all mammal species, and occurs because the muscle contractions during ejaculation trigger contraction of the cremaster muscle, causing the testicles to rise – usually, one goes further than the other, which it sounds like is what you’re seeing.
I’m more worried about the pink ejaculate; this suggests inflammation somewhere in the reproductive tract. If it’s due to penile trauma, then sexual rest is required until it heals, and then he’ll probably be fine; however, this could also be due to orchitis (many of the causes of which are venereally transmitted, and orchitis itself will dramatically impair fertility, sometimes leading to lifelong infertility) or prostatitis (which needs aggressive medical management, but is very, very hard to treat without castration).
I would very strongly advise getting a full vet check done and getting some of the ejaculate analysed for sperm number and quality, but also bacteria and inflammatory cells.

Well, he’ll be at a higher risk of testicular cancer in the retained testicle. He will also go through puberty normally (assuming he hasn’t already!), and have an entire male personality and potentially sex drive. If the normal one has been removed, then he probably won’t be fertile, depending on where the testicle is located (if it’s right up in the abdomen he won’t be able to make viable sperm, but if it’s down in the inguinal canal he might be able to make a few).
You options really are watch and see; or get a referral to a surgical specialist for a revision surgery.
IF (and it is if) he does develop testicular cancer of the retained testicle, I wouldn’t expect it to occur for some years. The signs are often subtle initially, of weight loss or non-specific abdominal discomfort. In about 1/3 of cases though, you may find he gets a change in coat, mammary and nipple development, and stops cocking his leg; he may also become attractive to other male dogs (the most common cancer, a Sertoli cell tumour, sometimes produces very high levels of oestrogen, the female sex hormone, and his body will respond to that).

OK, the stats are complicated because different populations have different demographics, but these are the highlights.
Approximately 1-7% of dogs (depending on breed- more common in smaller dogs) are cryptorchid. However, they account for up to 54% of all testicular tumours. This suggests a 9-20 fold increase in cancer risk from being cryptorchid (which is supported by other studies).
Testicular cancers are the third most common location for cancer in male dogs, and on average account for 35 cases per 100,000 dogs – so the risk of cancer for a cryptorchid dog is probably somewhere in the region of 320/100,000 – about the same as the total risk of cancer in a neutered dog (352).
So it’s reasonable to conclude that leaving an undescended testicle in situ probably roughly doubles their lifetime risk of cancer.
In a small breed dog, the increased health risks of neutering are negligible (large breed dogs it’s a bigger problem), and the association with thyroid disease and most types of neoplasia has not been replicated in small breed dogs, and at least some appear to be breed-specific (Golden retrievers in particular seem to be highly sensitive to hormone changes, and many of the risks described in the early studies on this breed are not seen in other breeds). Remember, overall a neutered dog has a roughly 14% longer lifespan on average.
Testicular torsion is less common, and when it occurs is most likely to be in neoplastic testicles (occurring in about 36% of cases); however, most estimates put it at about twice the risk in abdominal testes compared to scrotal ones.

I’m not telling you what the right answer for your dog is. However – I will warn you (in case you don’t know!) that Border Terriers are excellent escape artists, and that his descended testicle is perfectly capable of producing sperm that will carry the cryptorchid genes on to any puppies he does manage to sire!
Personally, if he was my dog, I would castrate him. If not, that is a respectable choice, but I’m not sure that it’s entirely supported by the risk benefit analysis. If you do decide that, then be very, very careful to make sure he never has unsupervised contact with an entire bitch (“life will find a way”, especially where there’s a Border Terrier involved!!!).

Diarrhoea isn’t going to be caused by retained testicles – it’ll be a different issue! German Shepherds are prone to gut problems, and if it’s been going on for more than a few days it really does need properly investigating. One other thing to consider would be worming treatment, just in case it’s a worm problem, but I think a vet check and a faecal examination is really needed here.

If he’s a year old and such a small breed, then yes. If his testicles haven’t fully descended, then it’s even more important that they come out!

It depends what the exact genetics are – I’d recommend talking to a vet, and potentially getting a referral to a theriogenologist.

Yes, I would expect it – he’s clearly nearly completed puberty if he’s able to lock with a female, so it’s unlikely they will descend now. I’d get him checked out and then, sadly, the testicles will need to come out as they are at a very high risk of becoming cancerous.

That’s unusual but not unheard of – you didn’t mention the breed, but if they’re a late maturing breed its not uncommon for the cremaster reflex to kick in fairly early in puberty and cause one or both testicles to become retractile (sometimes called “shy testicles”). If, however, the testicles are approaching adult size and weight, but one is still not in the scrotum, that’s the point we’d say they were cryptorchid; in these cases, though, they are usually inguinal (they don’t climb back all the way into the abdomen), but the risk of disease is still increased due to the increased testicular temperature.

No, this is very rare in dogs: it’s a condition referred to as Intersex, where the genitalia do not develop in accordance with the sex expected, resulting in elements of male and elements of female anatomy. I think referral to a specialist is a good idea, so you know what – if anything – needs to be done. Tests might include karyotyping (genetic tests to see what your dog’s genetic sex is), oestrogen and testosterone tests (to see what the internal hormonal environment is), and potentially other hormones to determine if there are ovaries somewhere or testes, so the specialist can decide what the risks are of doing nothing (which is often the simplest option if the dog is fine in themselves – but can cause problems later).

Fortunately no – otherwise neutering would be a bit of a waste of time!
However, after surgery there is often some localised swelling and bruising in the (empty) scrotum, which can look like the testicles. Normally, this will resolve within a day or two, but if it is severe or he seems uncomfortable, contact your vet to discuss it.
Later in life, swellings in the scrotum can recur, although it’s uncommon, due to conditions such as an inguinal hernia (where there’s no testicle, it’s easier for abdominal contents to find their way into the sac) – but this really does need veterinary assessment.

It does as you say depend on the breed – and actually, many vets here in the UK are now recommending neutering no earlier than 18-24 months of age in giant breed dogs, and 12-18 months in large breeds. The more we learn about the musculoskeletal importance of completing puberty, the more likely we are to leave it longer!
But yes – it’s an individual decision based on that dog as an individual.

If the vet didn’t find the other testicle, there are two possibilities: either it is very small and they missed it (this is pretty unlikely), or it never formed (this is rare but does happen, it’s a condition called monorchidism). Have a chat to your vets about doing blood tests a few weeks after the surgery: at 10 months the hormonal fingerprint of a functional testicle should be detectable in his blood, once the testosterone levels from the other one have dropped off.

It depends what you mean by “OK”, and also on what happened to the other one!
If your dog has one external testicle and the other one is inside, then they are at VERY high risk of cancer in the internal testicle. These retained testicles should ALWAYS be removed, for your dog’s health.
If however there is only one, it’s in the normal place, and the other one has been removed or never formed, then yes, he should be fine: the remaining testicle will produce enough testosterone for normal male development and behaviour.

It is possible that he has no testicles at all, but very unlikely – Bulldogs are at a higher risk of retained testicles than other breeds and it sounds like he may have both testicles retained (about 25% of dogs with retained testicles have both affected). I think this is definitely something you need to see your vet about; although this isn’t an emergency, the retained testicles (assuming they are present) are at much higher risk of twisting or of developing testicular cancer. Your vet can do a blood test to determine if there are any testicles present at all (by measuring testosterone levels usually), and if there are, they probably need to come out.

Definitely don’t use him for breeding: retained testicles (and the testicular cancer and testicular twisting that often follows) are genetic and will be passed on to his puppies.

It depends if there is a retained testicle: if the vets couldn’t locate it, he might be one of the very rare individuals with true monorchidism, where only one testicle ever developed. There are blood tests that can be done, once he’s recovered from surgery (the drop in testosterone from the removal of the scrotal testis may confuse some tests so they probably need to be done in 6-8 weeks) to determine if there is another one in there.
If there is, it might be worth referring him to a surgical specialist to find and remove the hidden one.

Sorry I forgot to say he is 2 years and 4 months.

An undescended testicle usually makes slightly less testosterone, but the descended testicle will usually compensate and make slightly more, so testosterone deficiency is unlikely to be the cause.
Most causes of aggression are not hormonal but behavioural; the exception is the increase in fear aggression that is reported in some highly anxious dogs neutered after puberty. If your dog has been aggressive since he was a puppy (well before puberty and the testosterone rise), it is unlikely to be hormonal.
In this particular case, I think that you need to determine WHY he is aggressive – and for that, I would STRONGLY advise a consultation with a clinical animal behaviourist.

It is theoretically possible; however, this is a genetic condition and any puppies he sires (even accidentally!) would go on to inherit those genes. As a result, very few vets are willing to only remove the retained testicle.

I wouldn’t normally be in a hurry to castrate a dog that big that young: personally, I’d be thinking about waiting a little longer before going on a testicle hunt. I appreciate the appeal of doing both procedures at once; however, in a puppy the longer the anaesthetic the higher the risk, so 2 shorter procedures would probably be lower risk than one very long one. However, definitely have a chat to the vets and see what they think – it might be they can go in laparoscopically and find the retained testicle rapidly.

There are a number of possible causes, including infection (orchitis) or testicular tumour. In most cases, rapid diagnosis and treatment from your vet is needed!

You should not breed from a dog with one undescended testicle, as is it highly heritable and the puppies will carry the defective genes. It’s also strongly associated with malignant testicular cancer and with twisted testicles: he should definitely not be bred from, and the testicles should really be removed sooner rather than later!

Probably not: anxiety behaviour is quite often worsened by castration, as testosterone acts to boost a dog’s self-confidence. It’s also untrue that castration “calms dogs down” – it can of course alleviate sexual frustration, but it can also increase anxiety, and otherwise a dog’s personality is unlikely to change.
I would strongly advise seeking advice from a clinical behaviourist before proceeding to an irreversible surgical approach!

There is a small chance the testicle will drop when he enters puberty; however, this is only seen in a minority of cases. The best reason to delay castration, though (wherever his testicles are) is that there are significant advantages to allowing him to reach adult growth before removing his sources of testosterone. So generally I would advise waiting until puberty is largely complete before going on a testicle hunt, unless there are specific medical reasons that need more urgent attention.

This isn’t the right thread for this, but if she’s not responding to meds, back to the vet!

They might be, although it’s impossible to say for sure.
In the case of the behaviour, it depends why he’s being aggressive: if it’s hormonal aggression or frustration, then yes, castration will probably help; if however it’s fear-related, it probably won’t, and might even make it worse.
There are some reports that cryptorchid dogs are more prone to coat abnormalities than normal dogs, but I think that tends to be due to testicular cancer (much more common in retained testes), which is usually later in life.
The leanness is quite common in adolescent male dogs, and is very likely to respond to castration, as the drop in testosterone slows the metabolism.

The other possibility is that there are multiple genetic conditions affecting him, and cryptorchidism is just one of several problems: in this case, castrating him won’t help the others, but will protect him from future testicular torsion or cancer.

Personally, I would castrate him if he was mine, even though the coat changes and behaviour may or may not improve.

I hope that helps!

This isn’t normal progress after surgery, and may suggest post operative discomfort or a complication – I would advise getting him checked out by your vet!

Unfortunately, once removed, the testicular tissue becomes non-viable within minutes, and cannot be replaced into the body. Due to the high metabolic load of testicular tissue, the cells rapidly go into oxygen debt and die off.
If you want the removed organs back, you would need to talk to the veterinary surgeon, but once removed they become clinical waste and in many jurisdictions they cannot legally be returned. I hope that helps!

No, that isn’t normal – by that age they should long ago have descended. Unfortunately, that suggests he may be a bilateral cryptorchid, putting him at a very high risk of testicular cancer and twisted testicles. I would strongly advise getting him checked out by your vet to see if the testicles are just “shy” or if they are actually retained – in which case you’ll need to talk about the options.

He should not be bred full stop, as he will sire other dogs with the same defect. He is also at very high risk of developing testicular cancer.
Bottom line – don’t breed from him, choose a male who is developmentally normal!

Yes, this is far too young for her to carry a litter to term safely – you need to contact your vet ASAP and talk about misalliance options.

Strictly speaking, that late a descent is still a cryptorchid, and likely to throw other cryptorchids in any dogs he sires. Personally, I wouldn’t breed from him – Frenchies as a breed have enough inherited problems without adding more!

There are lots of causes of panting, but excitement is pretty common. Remember, neutering won’t “calm him down” unless the cause of his excitement is sexual frustration (which is rarer than most people think). You don’t say what breed or size he is, as this makes a difference – if he’s a large breed dog he could still be going through the hormonal “teenage” phase, where this is quite normal!I’d suggest having a chat with your vet who can assess his breathing, and if all is normal, then definitely get them out.

It is theoretically possible, yes. However, most vets are very unwilling to do so, partly because there have been problems in the past when unscrupulous people have used dogs for breeding post-surgery.
However, given that the risk of testicular cancer, even in a cryptorchid, is very very low before 3 years of age, it might be worth considering waiting until he reaches skeletal maturity at 24-30 months, and then having the surgery?

There’s an old saying – “Age isn’t a disease”. As long as he’s otherwise healthy, and has no underlying health issues, a short general anaesthetic at this age is unlikely to be much more dangerous than for a dog half his age.
More of a worry here is why one testicle has just disappeared – that is something that definitely needs looking at, because it implies serious shrinkage of one testicle which is very rare, except in the case of cancer in the other one: so definitely time for a vet check!

I’m not sure what you mean? Do you mean they descended into the sac, or fell out of a wound?

There are lots and lots of possibilities, from soft tissue swelling to tumours to internal prolapses – definitely one that needs a clinical examination from your vet, I’m afraid!

It depends if you want to breed from him. If not, then I wouldn’t worry – if they descend, he’s not going to pass the genes on, and if they don’t, you can have them removed once it’s clear that they aren’t going to do so on their own!
If you do want to breed from him, I’d suggest a vet visit to see if the testicles are there but “shy” (being retracted firmly into the groin area), or if they are in fact absent – in which case, it really wouldn’t be a good idea to use him as a stud dog anyway.

I’m not completely sure what you mean by “socked in” – do you mean withdrawn or retracted? Depending on his age that could be a normal response to cold, fear or stress, but I doubt it would cause a serious health problem by itself!

At that age, the testicles are so small they can easily disappear up into the groin, and be very hard to find! The most common causes are cold weather and sudden shock or fright. However, this is perfectly normal, and not usually anything to worry about: it is virtually unknown for a testicle that has reached the scrotum to disappear back into the abdomen permanently. Once they grow a bit they’ll be much harder to “lose”!

Huskies do seem to have a reputation for being more prone to retained testicles, and are reported to be 2.4 times more likely to have the condition than the “average” dog.
In some cases, the testicle will descend by itself as he enters puberty; in some countries, treating with hormonal drugs may occasionally be used to try and encourage it down, but this can disrupt the dog’s normal puberty, and isn’t really all that effective anyway.
My general rule of thumb is that it’s worth waiting until he’s 6 months old or so, as a small percentage (may be 2-5%) will make an appearance then – but once the other testicle starts to grow as he matures, the retained one just isn’t going to appear. At that point, surgical removal is by far the best option for his health.
Good luck!

He certainly should have both by then – strictly, if they aren’t both detectable by 3 months old we would say he’s cryptorchid. They do occasionally make an appearance at puberty, but I’m afraid that I suspect you’re going to end up having to get it found and removed.

At that age in a large breed dog, there is a chance that the other testicle will drop as he proceeds through puberty. If, though, the descended testicle starts to grow towards adult size and the other one hasn’t appeared, it is very very unlikely that it will be able to make the descent and it will need to be removed.

There are two reasons for not keeping the (apparently) healthy testicle. The first is that there is some evidence that even the descended testicle may be at a higher risk of some types of cancer in dogs carrying the genes for cryptorchidism. Therefore, it should be removed before it becomes diseased and causes potentially severe illness. The second is that even with only one testicle, he is probably still perfectly fertile, and capable of siring litters of puppies – all of whom risk inheriting that same genetic defect.

Increase in testicular size, except during puberty, is always a worry, as it typically suggests either orchitis (inflammation, usually infection, of the testicle) or, even more seriously, a twisted testicle. If he is in pain as well, DEFINITELY it’s time to get him checked over by your vet.

Vet, now, as soon as possible. There’s nothing else you can do – scrotal evisceration is uncommon but it is very serious and if not treated promptly, can easily lead to life-threatening septic peritonitis.

Ideally, we’d almost always say to remove both the retained and the normal testicle, to prevent cancer and twisted testicle. This would also prevent him from spreading the defective genes to any offspring. So castration / neutering is the preferred treatment.

It is possible that it will descend within the next month or so; however, at that age, I would think it is quite likely that it won’t. Give it a little longer, then have a chat with your vet. Once you notice the other one start to grow as he enters puberty, then it becomes less and less likely that the retained one will be able to descend.

Unfortunately, it is probably not possible: the retained testicles will be infertile as making sperm requires a cooler temperature. In addition, they are at a very high risk of becoming cancerous or twisted. I’m afraid that the best option for your dog’s wellbeing is probably to have both retained testicles removed.

It’s generally considered unethical to breed a dog with a retained testicle – because it’s a genetic condition that he will pass on to others. In the UK, inserting a prosthetic testicle is also considered unethical because it does not benefit the dog at all and increases the risk of surgery, so any vet who did so would face disciplinary action (a position I tend to agree with). So I must say from an animal welfare point of view, he does not sound like a good candidate to breed from, and I’d suggest full castration and keeping him as a much loved pet!

Because this article – if you read it – is all about a Chihuahua.

Any unexpected signs or side effects like that need to be reported to the prescriber – while I very much doubt it was a heart attack, it could well have been a temporary heart rhythm disturbance, or even a seizure – so have a chat with the prescribing vet as it might be a drug side effect, or another condition that needs addressing.

After 9 months, it’s very unlikely that it will resolve on its own. This is probably due to a partially retained testicle or testicles.
The problem is that the retained testicle is 9 times more likely to develop cancer, and also significantly more likely to suffer from a twist. Both of these conditions are potentially fatal and so castration is always recommended.

It’s not uncommon for them to ascend and descend during puberty, as the cremaster muscle pulls them back up. So I wouldn’t be particularly concerned, but I would be considering neutering as the retractile testis could cause problems later.

Yes, this does happen occasionally – it’s not normally anything to worry about; in a few weeks, the other boys will probably have caught up with him!

At 9 months I’m afraid it is very unlikely that the other testicle will now descend – the enlargement of the descended testicle is probably due to compensation for the undescended one, which means he has effectively completed puberty. Surgery is by far the best option for him, given the increased risk of testicular cancer and testicular torsion in the retained one.

If one testicle is retained in the abdomen it is about 9x more likely to become cancerous (which can kill, although slowly), and at least twice as likely to become twisted (which can also kill, although much faster). However, a retained testicle itself does not kill – it just increases the chances of other diseases that do.

It depends how old he is; the muscle that pulls the testicles up against the body (the cremaster muscle) is stronger and more active in adolescent dogs; in addition, the testicles are smaller and more easily retracted into the inguinal canal in puppyhood and the first half to 2/3 of puberty. In most cases, this is the cause; however, if the dog is adult this is very unusual and may suggest some disease of one testis causing it to shrink and become atrophic.

If they haven’t descended by 6 months, it is fairly unlikely that the other testicle will descend. It depends whether or not he’s started puberty: the hormonal changes can sometimes triggers descent, but as dogs go through puberty, of course, the testicles will both grow, and fairly soon the internal one won’t fit down the inguinal canal any more.

Yes, it is possible – it’s called true monorchidism. As you say, though, it is very rare.

It’s not uncommon for the testicle that is later to descend to be smaller than the other one, and it’s not really anything to be too concerned about. As long as it’s in the scrotum where it’s meant to be, the risk of testicular cancer or twisted testicles is pretty low.

I would ALWAYS recommend removing the retained testicle. The other one is a slightly greyer area. The main arguments for removing both is that it’s a genetic condition so shouldn’t be passed on; and that some studies seem to show a slightly higher cancer risk in the testicle in the normal position (although others do not).
There’s no way to know for sure what the behavioural impact would be in advance. If he is a little anxious, I would advise a consult with a qualified canine behaviourist first, who may be able to give some guidance. After that – have a chat with your vet about the options, as there are medical options to trial the effects of full castration after the internal testicle is removed, if there are behavioural concerns.

A lot of testicles don’t drop into the scrotum until puberty – personally, I don’t worry if there’s one hiding until you get to 5-6 months.

A cryptorchid (undescended) testicle is roughly 9 times more likely to become cancerous than one in the normal location. In one study, there were reports of a large spike in testicular cancers at about the age of 6 years, jumping from about a 1.3% chance per year to 6.8% chance per year.
The other problem is that it is very difficult to detect a testicular cancer if the testicle isn’t visible, and by the time the signs become apparent, it is likely that any tumour would have already spread.
So overall yes, there is a good chance that it will significantly reduce his lifespan, and the earlier surgery is done, the better.

The testicles are supposed to be cold – at least 2 degrees cooler than body temperature, which is why they hang in the scrotum outside the body.
However, a dog of that age going off his food is a little more worrying. It could be the heat and given the brachy nature of the breed, he might just not have enough capacity to keep cool and eat. Alternatively, he could have another underlying medical problem. Either way, though, I think it’s time to talk to your vet: if he is overheating, then you need to know that’s the issue so you can manage it; if it’s something else, then that needs addressing.

If he has no testicles at all, even internally, this isn’t a problem. However, that is very very rare.
It is much more likely that he has 2 testicles but they are trapped within the abdomen. Because the abdomen is too warm, he will not be able to make sperm, so will not be fertile, but he will still make hormones like testosterone.
The problem is that the internal testicles are much more likely (9-10 times more likely) to become cancerous, and perhaps twice as likely to twist. Both of these conditions are possibly fatal. So, although it is not urgent, we would advise arranging for surgery to remove them both when convenient for you and a vet.

Pretty rare – unilateral renal agenesis is a rare but recognised condition in Beagles, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Doberman Pinschers, but I’ve never heard of it in another breed! Because the testicles form from the foetal kidney (the “mesonephron”, absence of a kidney will often result in absence of the testicle at the same time.

By now, whatever breed he is, his testicles should have descended. If they haven’t then (assuming he wasn’t neutered before you got him), they do need to be removed, as he is at very high risk of testicular cancer and twisted testicles. Your vet will be able to perform the procedure, but it will take longer than a standard castrate as his testicles aren’t hanging outside and easily accessible.

Without knowing which test was done, which units it was reported in, or what reference range was used, the testosterone number “21” is fairly meaningless – for example, most labs report in ng/ml, with normal for an unneutered dog 2-4ng/ml. Was his range lower than normal for an entire dog, or higher?

Technically yes you can but I would STRONGLY advise against it. Retained testicles are a heritable trait so it is likely that many of the male pups he sires would also be affected. This is why most vets opt to remove both testicles in these situations.

he technique is called an orchopexy, and is generally considered unethical in dogs. The reason is that the condition is highly heritable, and thus any dogs with undescended testicles who go on to breed are likely to sire other dogs also with undescended testicles. This is why removal of both affected and unaffected testicles is usually recommended.

Some swelling after surgery is very normal; try sending a photo to your vet and ask him or her to double check. If it isn’t normal, they’ll be happy to see you, but it’s really hard to tell over the phone how big the swelling is!

There’s no way to know for sure. However, it seems likely that in many if not most cases it is due to the father, as many of the genes involved in sexual differentiation are located on the Y chromosome, which can only come from the father.

Not reliably, no. At only 3 months of age, there’s a good chance it will drop by itself when he enters puberty, the testicle grows, and the cremaster reflex becomes less powerful. But manipulation as far as I’m aware has never been able to reverse the problem, and has the risk of causing damage to the cremaster muscle and vascular plexus if improperly performed.

Having a descended testicle massively increases his risk of testicular cancer (by about 9 times). It also increases the risk of a twisted testicle occurring. In most cases, we’d advise castration – removing both the descended and normal testis, but your own vet will be able to advise you.

He will probably be fertile but should never be permitted to breed. The retained testicle need to be removed surgically (as it is at a very high risk of becoming either cancerous or twisted, both of which are usually fatal without treatment), and the descended testicle should also be removed so he does not transmit the genes for the condition to any offspring.

Ascending testicles are well documented in other species, such as humans. The scrotal and testicular anatomy of the dog is quite similar to ours, so I’d say that yes, it is possible. However – I wouldn’t expect it to go all the way back into the canal, just to “hide” at the bottom end. The cremaster reflex (the muscle reflex that pulls the testicle back up) is hyperactive in early puberty, and then tends to relax (allowing the testicle to “drop”), so this might just be him. Usually, I’d say in a small breed dog, give it until 6 months of age, or until the other one is definitely growing as he goes through puberty, before I get worried.

Retractile testicles in a puppy are pretty common, but it’s quite unusual for that to happen in an adolescent dog of his age. In very very cold weather, however, the testicles can be drawn up so tight to the body wall that they are really hard to find; make sure he’s in a warm room, and see if it comes down again. If it has genuinely retracted and can’t be found after an hour or so in the warm, I would advise a vet check, as it might suggest there’s a problem with the inguinal canal, putting him at risk of a hernia or a twisted testicle.

At 17 weeks, your dog is probably still pre-pubescent; as a result, retractile testes (especially in cold weather) are quite common. Once he reaches full puberty, the cremaster muscle that pulls them up so tightly will relax more (resulting in the “balls dropping”), and his testicles will enlarge to the point where they won’t fit into the superficial canal any more!
A point on your breeders advice – the breeder is not an animal health professional, your vet is. I would STRONGLY advise you to follow the advice of someone who is qualified to advise you on health issues rather than someone who is good at getting dogs pregnant. Waiting until skeletal maturity at 12-18 months, or even 2 years old if he’s slow to grow, is often a good policy, but it will depend on your specific dog and the situation. Blanket rules for neutering aren’t usually helpful!

Continuous bleeding is not normal after surgery – get him to your vet and get him checked out NOW.

No, that definitely isn’t normal. If both are missing, then (assuming he hasn’t been neutered), both are retained somewhere further up – probably in the abdomen. We’d strongly advise getting surgery done to remove them, because retained testicles are 9 times more likely to become cancerous, and much more likely to twist and die (a life-threatening emergency).

We would very strongly advise against it. Cryptorchidism (the condition where a testicle is retained) is heritable, so any male pups he sired would be very likely to inherit the problem. Retained testicles should always be removed as they are 9 times more likely to become cancerous, and also much more likely to suffer a painful and potentially life-threatening testicular torsion. As a result, removal of BOTH testicles is usually the best option.

Fertility is quite variable, and lots of things can impact it. However, a dog with only one descended testicle should NEVER be bred, as they will transmit the genes for this potentially dangerous trait to all their male offspring. One thing that immediately springs to mind is the possibility of testicular cancer in the undescended testicle – this often causes loss of fertility as an early sign, is 9 times more common in retained testicles, and may be fatal without urgent treatment. That said, there are other causes so seek veterinary attention for him.

It depends on a wide range of factors, including his size and breed. However, if the testicles haven’t descended by 6 months it is possible that he is congenitally cryptorchid, in which case he may well need surgery to remove them before they become cancerous. Probably the best thing to do is book a check up with your vet to check it out.

His testes aren’t able to come out through the prepuce – I suspect what you saw was the bulbis glandis, a large round part of the penis that locks into the females vagina during mating.
Erections like this are normal in adolescent male mammals of any species, and are quite natural! The only time to be concerned is if it doesn’t go away on its own (or with “help” by its owner).

The first season is often quiet and doesn’t show all the classic signs. This is the classic time for her to come into season though! If the boy’s testicles are still very small, it is likely he has not yet completed puberty HOWEVER he may still be fertile – it only takes one testicle descended and producing sperm. I’d strongly advise you to keep them physically separated until the vet can check them over.

There are a couple of possibilities, it depends on the context and what else the vet said. It could be that one of the testicles in up in the abdomen. If so, it is at a high risk of developing malignant testicular cancer; it’s also at a higher risk of twisting than a testicle in the normal scrotal location.
Alternatively, it could mean that they’ve looked for the abdominal one and not found it. This is a pretty rare condition called monorchidism, where only one testicle forms when the puppy is in the womb.

Assuming this is a dog we’re talking about…
It can happen but it’s really rare! It typically occurs because of trauma (as your vet said), but I understand that testicular shrinkage with age and stretching/widening of the inguinal canals can also be a factor. Being retracted does increase the risk of testicular cancer and twisted testicles; however, his age might make surgery a higher risk. Definitely one to talk about with your vet in terms of balancing the risks!

If only one has dropped and not the other, then yes. If there’s a question of where they are, though, definitely get your vet to check.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to know – because we don’t know what, or how much, was “left behind”. That’s a really unusual situation, as it’s usually very clear whether the testicle has been removed, but presumably there was some sort of complication.
If it was the internal testicle that might have been at least partially left, then it’s very very unlikely, as the body temperature will almost always render it infertile.
If it was the external one, it’s possible, but again unlikely, because cutting into the testicle creates massive scarring, which is likely to block the seminiferous tubules. However – it only takes one sperm, so there really is no way to be sure unless you get a semen sample analysed by your vet.

Massage might pull the testicle into the scrotum temporarily but it won’t stay there – and it might be painful for him for you to be pulling on his testicles! At 5 months old he’s probably only just starting puberty – as the testicles grow they’ll probably drop further. If not, castration is strongly recommended but given where it is, it shouldn’t be much more complicated to remove than the other one.

It might suggest that he has a fever; however, it isn’t what we’d expect to see after a vomiting bug, so I would advise you to call your vet and have a chat to them about it.

I’ve not been able to find any reliable statistics I’m afraid! I would say that there’s a chance that, as he enters puberty, it will descend; however, if not, then we would recommend surgery to remove both as the undescended testicle is at a significantly increased risk of twisting or cancer. You can read more about the condition here.

It is possible for a cat to be born monorchid (with only one testicle) but it is very rare (probably no more than 1 in 1000). Cryptorchidism (one undescended testicle) is about 17 times more likely. There are blood tests that can be done to determine if he has any functional testicular tissue after the external one has been removed, so you could consider that option? If surgery is needed, a minimally invasive “keyhole” technique might be suitable, which would minimise any further tissue damage. Hope that’s helpful!

This occurs occasionally after fighting or trauma; it requires emergency veterinary attention as the protruded testicle is gangrenous. Failure to get treatment may be life threatening and is a massive animal welfare issues. In many countries, failing to take your cat to a veterinarian with injuries like that would be a criminal offence.

The most likely cause is that it’s cold and the testicle has been pulled up close to the body for warmth! However, this is less probable if it’s only one. Injury or damage to the testicle can cause retraction like that, so if it’s happened suddenly and isn’t just a temporary thing (because he’s knocked it on something!), then I’d suggest getting him checked out by your vet.

Yes, it can – abdominal testicles are very prone to twist, and this is reportedly agonisingly painful (the same condition sometimes happens in children). Even a minor twist is likely to be very uncomfortable.
Regarding his barking, I think it would be best to talk to a qualified canine behaviourist – your vets will be able to recommend one – rather than trying to diagnose a potentially complex issue over the internet!

In general, it’s a bad idea. Cryptorchidism (one or two retained testicles) is a genetic condition, and any dog pups he sired would be at very high risk of the condition. In addition, any bitches would be carrying the genes putting their own future pups at risk.
In addition, dogs with retained testicles are at a roughly 9 times higher risk of some types of testicular cancer, and as a result, most vets recommend removing both testicles (not just the retained one) to prevent the spread of the condition in the gene pool, and also to protect the dog from testicular tumours.
That said, I think this is a conversation it’s worth having with your own vet who knows your dog and his medical history, and perform a clinical examination. It may be, for example, that the “missing” testicle is just a bit shy, and there isn’t a significant problem!

Hello Yvonne, thank you for your question. It is possible the other one will descend, many times it is according to where it is. Have you had your vet check him? Sometimes it can be felt hiding! If you haven’t had him checked recently, it is worth having your vet examining him to give you further advice. Dave RVN

Hi Chris, I’d recommend taking him to your vet for a check-up, and they will be able to then advise on next steps.

Hi Lisa. I wouldn’t worry too much yet as he’s very young. Have a chat to your vet when you take him in for vaccinations etc and they’ll give him a thorough examination and will be able to advise you of at what point they’d expect both to have descended. They may want to do another check-up on him at around 6 months to check, and then can advise you of the best course of action for him.

Hi Leslie. Yes, she can get pregnant – being related won’t make any difference, unfortunately. To avoid any unwanted litters, we’d recommend having a chat to your vet about neutering both dogs – there are health benefits that your vet can run through for both spaying and castration too, especially if your dog only has one testicle descended.

Hi Mary, we’d recommend having a chat to your vet as they will know your dog better. We usually always recommend castration as the testicle left in the abdomen has the potential to turn cancerous, but your vet will be able to run through your options with you.

Hi Michelle. There are many benefits to routine castration, such as reducing the risk of testicular cancer and prostate disease, reducing the urge to wander etc., and those same benefits would apply here. If you’re not sure about the procedure or would like further information about the health benefits and why your vet feels it’s advisable to perform a full castration, I’d recommend having a chat with them. They’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and know your dog, so are best-placed to give you a full explanation.

Hi Patricia. It’s difficult to comment really without knowing your dog’s history and what they did in terms of searching for the other testicle. If you have questions or concerns, I’d recommend having a further chat to your vet who will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Hi Claire. This does sound very unusual and is certainly incredibly rare. I’d recommend chatting to your vet further about this and about the possibility of the scan, as you say, for your peace of mind. Your vet will know the history of your dog, and if they don’t feel there’s any further investigation necessary, they will have reasons for this that you need to know as it’s important you have all of the information to hand to make the best decision.

Hi Allison, please take him to the vets soon. He will need those testicles locating. Best wishes.

Hi Olivia, it is important that the second testicle is located so you are dong the right thing by having him operated on. Best wishes

Hi Ava, I would recommend that you have him examined ASAP by your vet. An un-descended testicle can turn cancerous and therefore needs to be removed. The signs of discomfort he is displaying are also cause to be examined by a vet. It is not recommended to breed from a dog whose testicles haven’t fully descended anyway. We wish your Pomeranian the very best.

Hi Ava, I would recommend that you have him examined ASAP by your vet. An un-descended testicle can turn cancerous and therefore needs to be removed. The signs of discomfort he is displaying are also cause to be examined by a vet. It is not recommended to breed from a dog whose testicles haven’t fully descended anyway. We wish your Pomeranian the very best.

Hi Alli, when one testicle fails to descend, it’s necessary for your vet to seek out that testicle in order to prevent future problems. If you think you can visualise his second testicle then point it out to your vet when you take him to be examined. Best wishes

Hi Alli, when one testicle fails to descend, it’s necessary for your vet to seek out that testicle in order to prevent future problems. If you think you can visualise his second testicle then point it out to your vet when you take him to be examined. Best wishes

Thanks for getting in touch Amber. This doesn’t sound normal, that’s quite a difference in size and it sounds like a very sudden change. We’d recommend taking him to your vet as soon as possible to be examined. Best wishes.

Thanks for getting in touch Amber. This doesn’t sound normal, that’s quite a difference in size and it sounds like a very sudden change. We’d recommend taking him to your vet as soon as possible to be examined. Best wishes.

Hi Tanweer, it can take up to a year for both testicles to descend however smaller breeds tend to mature more quickly than larger breeds and most will be developed by 6 months of age. Don’t panic however it would be worth going back to your vet to talk your concerns through with them. Alternatively you can always go for a second opinion. You are obviously aware that if they do not descend, he will need to be castrated. Best wishes.

Hi Tanweer, it can take up to a year for both testicles to descend however smaller breeds tend to mature more quickly than larger breeds and most will be developed by 6 months of age. Don’t panic however it would be worth going back to your vet to talk your concerns through with them. Alternatively you can always go for a second opinion. You are obviously aware that if they do not descend, he will need to be castrated. Best wishes.

Normally it would be termed cryptorchidism if both testicles are not descended, or monorchid for one…

Normally it would be termed cryptorchidism if both testicles are not descended, or monorchid for one…

Hi Hailey, we are reaching a point whereby both of those testicles really should have descended by now since he is coming up to 1 year. Have him checked by your vet to see if they agree. An un-descended testicle can become cancerous so yes, it would definitely be recommended to have this one removed. It isn’t recommended to breed from a cryptorchid dog and therefore why not have him fully castrated and reap benefits of doing so? We’re pleased you have an appointment booked to see your vet and we hope our comments help. Best wishes.

Hi Hailey, we are reaching a point whereby both of those testicles really should have descended by now since he is coming up to 1 year. Have him checked by your vet to see if they agree. An un-descended testicle can become cancerous so yes, it would definitely be recommended to have this one removed. It isn’t recommended to breed from a cryptorchid dog and therefore why not have him fully castrated and reap benefits of doing so? We’re pleased you have an appointment booked to see your vet and we hope our comments help. Best wishes.

Hi Dave, in terms of ‘best time to neuter’, particularly with a larger breed of dog, it is hard to say without knowing his history and without examining him, that is why it really is best that you discuss that in consultation with your vet. It can take up to a year for the testicles to fully descend so as for whether he should be ‘written off’ as a breeding dog, again, your vet is best placed t help to decide. If you do wait a while and they both descend, your vet can judge whether they are ‘normal’ and healthy for breeding. It is worth liaising with the vet too to determine that he is suitable for breeding in a more general sense (health and temperament) and really considering if it’s something you want to embark upon e.g can you find sensible owners for puppies considering this highly wonderful but intelligent breed with a high exercise and mental stimulation requirement. I hope that helps in some way.

Hi Dave, in terms of ‘best time to neuter’, particularly with a larger breed of dog, it is hard to say without knowing his history and without examining him, that is why it really is best that you discuss that in consultation with your vet. It can take up to a year for the testicles to fully descend so as for whether he should be ‘written off’ as a breeding dog, again, your vet is best placed t help to decide. If you do wait a while and they both descend, your vet can judge whether they are ‘normal’ and healthy for breeding. It is worth liaising with the vet too to determine that he is suitable for breeding in a more general sense (health and temperament) and really considering if it’s something you want to embark upon e.g can you find sensible owners for puppies considering this highly wonderful but intelligent breed with a high exercise and mental stimulation requirement. I hope that helps in some way.

Hi Juan, in dogs, both testicles are usually descended by the age of six months however it can take up to a year. In terms of deciding how long you can wait, this is best talked through with your vet who can assess the situation based on your dogs level of maturity by examining him. Don’t forget, you can always go to another vet for a second opinion to ease your mind. Best wishes.

Hi Juan, in dogs, both testicles are usually descended by the age of six months however it can take up to a year. In terms of deciding how long you can wait, this is best talked through with your vet who can assess the situation based on your dogs level of maturity by examining him. Don’t forget, you can always go to another vet for a second opinion to ease your mind. Best wishes.

Hi Michelle, it was right for the vets to operate and search for that testicle due to the health risk of leaving it. As for leaving him un-castrated, it’s not recommended that you breed from a dog with only one testicle anyway. Therefore it sensible to castrate him considering the benefits that come with castration in terms of reducing the risk of tumours, your dog straying in search of a bitch etc. To be doubly sure that there isn’t a testicle remaining which could cause problems, some will have their dog scanned. If you haven’t already, it might be worth speaking with your vet about this option. Thanks for getting in touch, best wishes.

Hi Michelle, it was right for the vets to operate and search for that testicle due to the health risk of leaving it. As for leaving him un-castrated, it’s not recommended that you breed from a dog with only one testicle anyway. Therefore it sensible to castrate him considering the benefits that come with castration in terms of reducing the risk of tumours, your dog straying in search of a bitch etc. To be doubly sure that there isn’t a testicle remaining which could cause problems, some will have their dog scanned. If you haven’t already, it might be worth speaking with your vet about this option. Thanks for getting in touch, best wishes.

Hi Jake, your French bulldog is still very young, there is much time for the second testicle to develop. If it doesn’t however, and he remains cryptorchid, it is generally recommended that they are castrated and it’s not thought sensible to breed from such a dog. Have him regularly checked by your vet and discuss the best plan of action with them. Many thanks.

Hi Jake, your French bulldog is still very young, there is much time for the second testicle to develop. If it doesn’t however, and he remains cryptorchid, it is generally recommended that they are castrated and it’s not thought sensible to breed from such a dog. Have him regularly checked by your vet and discuss the best plan of action with them. Many thanks.

Hi Jill, Some dogs don’t fully develop until the age of 1 year so at 5 months there’s still time for his second testicle to descend fully. I’d recommend having it checked by your vet periodically and they’ll be able to advise you on the best course of action should it not develop fully. Best wishes.

Hi Jill, Some dogs don’t fully develop until the age of 1 year so at 5 months there’s still time for his second testicle to descend fully. I’d recommend having it checked by your vet periodically and they’ll be able to advise you on the best course of action should it not develop fully. Best wishes.

Hi Steve, dogs develop at their own pace and there is still time for both testicles to fall into the correct position. We would expect most dogs to have two descended testicles by the age of 6 months (your puppy is younger than this) and some may take longer, up until about 1 year of age. Keep an eye on the situation and try to find a vet that you trust so that they may examine your puppy and determine whether he is cryptorchid as it will be important for them to advise you on the best course of action if he is.

Hi Steve, dogs develop at their own pace and there is still time for both testicles to fall into the correct position. We would expect most dogs to have two descended testicles by the age of 6 months (your puppy is younger than this) and some may take longer, up until about 1 year of age. Keep an eye on the situation and try to find a vet that you trust so that they may examine your puppy and determine whether he is cryptorchid as it will be important for them to advise you on the best course of action if he is.

Hi Maggie, sometimes young dogs can have the ability to do this! Speak to your vet with your concerns and see what they suggest, most times the issue sorts itself!

Hi Maggie, sometimes young dogs can have the ability to do this! Speak to your vet with your concerns and see what they suggest, most times the issue sorts itself!

Hi Nicola, in this case it is best to speak to your vet as each case is different. Ask them the best time they believe the operation would be and discuss costs as well.

Hi Nicola, in this case it is best to speak to your vet as each case is different. Ask them the best time they believe the operation would be and discuss costs as well.

Hello Barry, although one injection will give some resistance to infections, it is important that you have a visit to your vet and get the puppy a full set of primary vaccinations. They will be able to give your dog a complete health check and advise of any other worries you may have.

Hello Barry, although one injection will give some resistance to infections, it is important that you have a visit to your vet and get the puppy a full set of primary vaccinations. They will be able to give your dog a complete health check and advise of any other worries you may have.

Hi Vilma, I’m afraid we cannot comment on this case as it may be the policy in your part of the world. We are based in the UK, so have different rules and regulations. Please seek advice of your local veterinarian, as they would know more.

Hi Vilma, I’m afraid we cannot comment on this case as it may be the policy in your part of the world. We are based in the UK, so have different rules and regulations. Please seek advice of your local veterinarian, as they would know more.

Hi Brina, hopefully all is well. This blog is UK based and is not monitored overnight. In cases such as yours we’ll always advise contacting your own veterinary professionals.

Hi Brina, hopefully all is well. This blog is UK based and is not monitored overnight. In cases such as yours we’ll always advise contacting your own veterinary professionals.

Hi Thomas,

There is not much you can do, but hope nature takes it’s course… sometimes both do descend it’s according to where they are located and how far up they are. Some owners try to help them down by manipulation, but its rarely successful.

Hi Thomas,

There is not much you can do, but hope nature takes it’s course… sometimes both do descend it’s according to where they are located and how far up they are. Some owners try to help them down by manipulation, but its rarely successful.

It is impossible to say, or even if it will turn cancerous. Please speak to you vet and express your concerns as they will know the dogs medical history.

It is impossible to say, or even if it will turn cancerous. Please speak to you vet and express your concerns as they will know the dogs medical history.

Hi Susan, there are certain drugs that can be short term ‘chemical castration’, please speak to your vet to see if they administer these (normally an injection). Some vets may have a technique for locating undescended testicles using a variety of methods, again speaking to your own vet might shed some more light on it.

Hi Susan, there are certain drugs that can be short term ‘chemical castration’, please speak to your vet to see if they administer these (normally an injection). Some vets may have a technique for locating undescended testicles using a variety of methods, again speaking to your own vet might shed some more light on it.

It shouldn’t be a problem at all, but always confer with your own vet, as they will be able to discuss the options with you.

It shouldn’t be a problem at all, but always confer with your own vet, as they will be able to discuss the options with you.

Hi Alma, the neutering procedure will be the same operation as locating the missing testicle. Your dog my have two wounds, in the normal place on the testicular sac and possible further up towards the abdomen – it is all according to where the vet can find the testicle that is hiding! Speak to your vet to find out more advice, but we hope that helps a bit. Dave RVN Vet Help Direct

Hi Alma, the neutering procedure will be the same operation as locating the missing testicle. Your dog my have two wounds, in the normal place on the testicular sac and possible further up towards the abdomen – it is all according to where the vet can find the testicle that is hiding! Speak to your vet to find out more advice, but we hope that helps a bit. Dave RVN Vet Help Direct

It is possible, the best thing would be to consult your own vet for their advice – they are best placed to give you the options for you dog.

It is possible, the best thing would be to consult your own vet for their advice – they are best placed to give you the options for you dog.

Hi, we strongly suggest you go back to your vet and discuss your concerns with them. The questions you have asked are impossible to answer and they are best placed to answer, given the medical history and examination.

Hi, we strongly suggest you go back to your vet and discuss your concerns with them. The questions you have asked are impossible to answer and they are best placed to answer, given the medical history and examination.

Hi Cassee, obviously speak to your own vet, but it is a good idea to help stop problems in later life…

Hi Cassee, obviously speak to your own vet, but it is a good idea to help stop problems in later life…

Hi Geoff, the advice we would give is to speak to your vet again with your concerns – they are best placed to examine and advise about neutering as many vets are different. With regards whether the remaining one would turn cancerous, its almost impossible to say, again your own vet should be able to give your their best advice.

Hi Geoff, the advice we would give is to speak to your vet again with your concerns – they are best placed to examine and advise about neutering as many vets are different. With regards whether the remaining one would turn cancerous, its almost impossible to say, again your own vet should be able to give your their best advice.

Hi, all operations, no matter what they are, carry some amount of risk – so to say it is safe would be unfair of us. We’d advise speaking fully to your vet and telling them your concerns – we are sure they will be able to put your mind at rest.

Hi, all operations, no matter what they are, carry some amount of risk – so to say it is safe would be unfair of us. We’d advise speaking fully to your vet and telling them your concerns – we are sure they will be able to put your mind at rest.

What are they recommending to inject? If the dog is older and overweight, could it be insulin

Hi, there has been trials of dogs having hormone injections, but the evidence of how much it is effective is often disputed. We suggest having a good chat with your vet and discussing the options available – if there is anything you are not happy with or don’t understand, then ask them to explain further.

Hi, there has been trials of dogs having hormone injections, but the evidence of how much it is effective is often disputed. We suggest having a good chat with your vet and discussing the options available – if there is anything you are not happy with or don’t understand, then ask them to explain further.

I had my 6 month old chawawa to vet to have nutered and only 1 was down. I was advised that it cpuld still come down in next few months to wait and give it time. My vet does not like to fix my animals till they r at least 6 months old . That hives thier bodirs time for things to move sometimes it can take up to a year for both to dtop. Hope this helps

Hi,my chihuahua has same problem,he’s only 6 months old,dreading it?

Tami – Definitely speak to your vets, the team will be able to answer all your questions and reassure you… they may even show you where he will be while recovering.

Tami – Definitely speak to your vets, the team will be able to answer all your questions and reassure you… they may even show you where he will be while recovering.