Question :

My dog has only one testicle and a lump the size of the testicle in his belly.
Should I be concerned?

thank you

Answer :

Dear,

Your pet has cryptorchidism – the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum. Normal descent of the testes into the scrotum is complete by 6-8 weeks of age, occasionally is delayed to as late as 6 months of age.
This defect is considered hereditary in most breeds and is sex-linked, autosomal recessive trait.
Unfortunatelly, the only recomended treatment is bilateral castration (neuter).
Surgical therapy to place a retained testis into the scrotum is an unethical practise and is not offered as an option, because unilaterally cryptorchids will perpetuate the trait if allowed to breed.
In dogs, neoplasia is approximately 13 times more likely to develop in undescended that in descended testes.

Best wishes

Damjan