What is cryptorchidism

After the testes descend, the tunnel usually closes. If the tunnel does not close completely, an Inguinal Hernia An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of a piece of intestine or another abdominal organ through an opening in the abdominal wall in the groin. People have a bulge in the groin or scrotum, which... read more may develop. The inguinal hernia rarely causes symptoms, but doctors can often feel it. Sometimes, fluid from the abdomen accumulates around the testes and is trapped in the scrotum after the tunnel closes. This trapped fluid forms a soft lump called a hydrocele, which usually goes away in the first year of life. (See also Scrotal Swelling Swelling of the scrotum (the sac that surrounds and protects the testes) on one or both sides may be a symptom of a urinary tract disorder. Swelling can be small and detectable only by carefully... read more .) About 3 of every 100 boys who are born at full term (9 months) have an undescended testis at birth. However, about 30 of every 100 boys born Preterm (Premature) Newborns A preterm newborn is a baby delivered before 37 weeks of gestation. Depending on when they are born, preterm newborns have underdeveloped organs, which may not be ready to function outside of... read more have an undescended testis. Boys whose family members had undescended testes also are more likely to have the condition. Usually only one testis fails to descend, but in about 10% both testes are affected. Usually the undescended testis is in the ingu...

Should My Cryptorchid Dog Be Neutered When our canine friends have retained testicles, many wonder if this means they can avoid being sterilized. Either one or both of the testicles have not descended into the scrotal sack when a dog has cryptorchidism, leading many to believe that the testicles do not need to be addressed. Though we understand why some pet owners will come to this conclusion, it could not be further from the truth. Dogs with cryptorchidism are at more risk of testicular complications than their other canine companions, proving just how important it is to neuter these pups as well. In this article we will get into the details of retained testicles in our canine friends, and help you better understand how you should address this diagnosis in your dog going forward. What Is Cryptorchidism In Dogs? Cryptorchidism, or retained testicles, is a condition in dogs that refers to testicles that do not descend into the scrotal sack as they normally would. In a dog free of cryptorchidism, most testicles will fall into the scrotal sack at around 2 months of age. This process can occur as late as 4-5 months of age in some furry friends, but the testicles should be present by the time they reach 6 months. When a dog’s testicles do not fall into the scrotal sac, this means they are often residing somewhere in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal. Some testicles will be just under the skin, while others will be hidden within the abdominal tissues. Some furry friends will ...

What is cryptorchidism? Cryptorchidism refers to the failure of one or both testicles (testes) to descend into the scrotum. Cryptorchidism is much less common in cats than in dogs. The testes develop near the kidneys within the abdomen and normally descend into the scrotum by two months of age. This may occur later in some cats, but rarely after six months of age. Cryptorchidism may be presumed to be present if the testicles cannot be felt in the scrotum after two to four months of age. If the testicles aren't in the scrotum, where are they? In most cases of cryptorchidism, the testicle is retained in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal (the passage through the abdominal wall into the genital region through which a testicle normally descends). Sometimes, the testicle may be located in the subcutaneous tissues (just under the skin) in the groin region, between the inguinal canal and the scrotum. How is cryptorchidism diagnosed? In cases of abdominal cryptorchidism, the testicle cannot be felt from the outside. An abdominal ultrasound or radiographs (X-rays) may be performed to determine the exact location of the retained testicle, but this is not often done before surgery, as it is not required to proceed with surgery. Typically, only one testicle is retained, and this is called unilateral cryptorchidism. If you have a cat that does not appear to have testicles but is exhibiting male behaviors, a hormonal test called an hCG stimulation test could be done to see if he is al...

Overview A testicle that doesn't move down into its proper place in the scrotum before birth is called an undescended testicle. It's also known as cryptorchidism (krip-TOR-kih-diz-um). Most often, it's just one testicle that doesn't descend into the scrotum, which is the bag of skin that hangs below the penis. But sometimes both testicles are affected. An undescended testicle is more common in premature babies than it is in full-term infants. An undescended testicle often moves down on its own within a few months after the baby is born. If your baby has an undescended testicle that doesn't correct itself, surgery can be done to move the testicle into the scrotum. Symptoms Not seeing or feeling a testicle in the scrotum is the main symptom of an undescended testicle. Testicles form in an unborn baby's lower belly. During the last few months of pregnancy, the testicles typically move down from the stomach area. They move through a tubelike passage in the groin, called the inguinal canal, and descend into the scrotum. With an undescended testicle, that process stops or is delayed. When to see a doctor An undescended testicle often is found during an exam done shortly after birth. If your baby has an undescended testicle, ask how often exams will need to be done. If the testicle hasn't moved into the scrotum by 3 to 4 months of age, the condition likely won't correct itself. Treating an undescended testicle when your child is still a baby might lower the risk of health problem...

To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. What is cryptorchidism in dogs? Healthy adult male dogs should have two testicles within their scrotum (the protective sac) – unless they have already been castrated! Your pooch’s testicles are usually located outside their body to keep them cool – this keeps them healthy. Some dogs, however, have a condition called cryptorchidism, where they may have only one or no testicles in the scrotum. So how does cryptorchidism happen? When a male puppy is born, the testicles (also called testes) are still inside the tummy. As your furry friend grows, their testes descend (or drop) into the scrotum through a small opening in the groin called the ‘inguinal canal.’ This is their final location as an adult. If one or both testicles fail to move into the scrotum, it’s called cryptorchidism. It’s also known as an undescended testicle or retained testicle in dogs. Why do we worry about cryptorchidism in dogs? Firstly, testicles that are too warm, i.e., inside the abdomen, have an increased risk of becoming cancerous. At higher temperatures, testes won’t produce sperm, so they don’t function normally – although breeding from our precious pup won’t matter to most of us. Finally, when inside the tummy, testicles are very mobile and can twist, causing extreme pain – this is an emergency if it happens. • • • • • • What Causes Cryptorchidism In Dogs? The cause of cryptorchidism isn’t precisely known, but it often occ...

What is Cryptorchidism in Dogs? Cryptorchidism is a condition found in male dogs in which one or both testicles have not descended into the testicular sac (scrotum). Testicles usually descend around 6–16 weeks of age. When a dog is born, the testicles are generally located near the inguinal ring, an area around the groin, and are guided by the gubernaculum, a structure that connects the testicle to the scrotum. During development, this structure is located near the kidney. Cryptorchidism occurs when the gubernaculum fails to develop properly, causing the testicle or testicles to fail to descend into the scrotum. If only one testicle descends, it is usually the left testicle, with the right testicle failing to do so. When neither testicle descends, the dog is typically sterile, since the body temperature usually prevents sperm production. Causes of Cryptorchidism in Dogs Cryptorchidism is genetic and linked to the X chromosome. If the parental history of the dog is known and the father had cryptorchidism, there is an increased chance that the offspring may have it. Breeds likely to have the cryptorchidism gene include: • Yorkshire Terriers • Pomeranians • French Poodles • Siberian huskies • Miniature Schnauzers • Shetland Sheepdogs • Chihuahuas • German Shepherds • Dachshunds • Brachycephalic (smoosh-faced) breeds How Do Vets Diagnose Cryptorchidism in Dogs? Cryptorchidism may be diagnosed based on family history. When family history is unknown, your vet will do the followi...

Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testicles of a male dog have failed to descend normally into the scrotum. The word is derived from Greek roots - kryptos meaning “hidden” and orchis meaning “testicle”. Keep reading to learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for cryptorchidism in dogs. The testicles in a male dog should normally descend into the scrotum by 2 months of age. In certain dogs, it may occur later, but rarely past 6 months of age. Therefore, any dog 6 months of age or older, that has one or both testicles missing from their final scrotal position, is considered to be cryptorchid. Cryptorchidism affects 1-3% of dogs and can occur in all breeds. Toy breeds such as Pomeranians, Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers are at a higher risk. Most cryptorchid dogs (around 75%) will have only one retained testicle. The right testicle is more than twice as likely to be the retained testicle in this case. Retained testicles are located either in the abdomen or in the inguinal canal (groin). Sometimes the cryptorchid testicle can be seen just under the skin in the groin area. Causes of Cryptorchidism in Dogs Cryptorchidism appears to have some genetic predisposition because it is seen in the familial lines of dogs. The exact cause, however, is unknown. It is considered to be an X-linked autosomal recessive trait, so a cryptorchid male should not be used for breeding. Clinical Signs of Cryptorchidism in Dogs Retained testicles are rarely associated with...

• 1 Epidemiology • 2 Pathophysiology • 3 Risk Factors • 4 Clinical Features • 4.1 From history • 4.2 From examination • 5 Differential Diagnosis • 6 Management • 6.1 Initial management • 6.2 Definitive and Long-term management • 7 Complications • 7.1 Surgical complications: • 7.2 Complications of an undescended testis: • 8 References: Cryptorchidism is a congenital absence of one or both testes in the scrotum due to a failure of the testes to descend during development. Epidemiology Cryptorchidism, or the failure of testicular descent into the scrotum, is a surgical condition found in 6% of newborns, but drops to 1.5-3.5% of males at 3 months. Cryptorchidism can broadly be defined in 3 groups: • True undescended testis: where testis is absent from the scrotum but lies along the line of testicular descent • Ectopic testis: where the testis is found away from the normal path of decent • Ascending testis: where a testis previously identified in the scrotum undergoes a secondary ascent out of the scrotum. Pathophysiology Under normal embryological development the testis descends from the abdomen to the scrotum, pulled by the gubernaculum, within the processes vaginalis. This process is incomplete in the context of true undescended testis; or tracks to an abnormal position in an ectopic testis. However, particularly with bilateral cryptorchidism, hormonal causes such as androgen insensitivity syndrome or disorder of sex development must also be excluded. Clinical Features From ...

Overview A retractile testicle is a testicle that may move back and forth between the scrotum and the groin. When the retractile testicle is residing in the groin, it might be easily guided by hand into its proper position in the scrotum — the bag of skin hanging behind the penis — during a physical exam. Upon release, the testicle will remain in the proper position at least temporarily. For most boys, the problem of a retractile testicle goes away sometime before or during puberty. The testicle moves to its correct location in the scrotum and stays there permanently. Sometimes the retractile testicle remains in the groin and is no longer movable. When this happens, the condition is called an ascending testicle or an acquired undescended testicle. Symptoms Testicles form in the abdomen during fetal development. During the final months of development, the testicles gradually descend into the scrotum. If this descent isn't completed at birth, the testicle usually descends within a few months. If your son has a retractile testicle, the testicle originally descended as it should, but doesn't remain in place. Signs and symptoms of a retractile testicle include: • The testicle may be moved by hand from the groin into the scrotum and won't immediately retreat to the groin. • The testicle might spontaneously appear in the scrotum and remain there for a time. • The testicle might spontaneously disappear again for a time. Retractile testicle is different from undescended testicle (c...