Cryptorchidism in Dogs

Breeds documented
28
Published sources
14

Overview

During puppy development, a testicle may stay in the abdomen or groin instead of reaching the scrotum, the pouch that normally holds the testicles. Called cryptorchidism, this can affect one testicle or both. Most affected dogs otherwise appear normal, but retained testicles carry a higher risk of tumors and painful twisting.

Signs to watch for

  • One or both testicles absent from the scrotum
  • Sudden, severe belly pain if a retained testicle twists
  • Matching patches of hair loss if a hormone-producing tumor develops

It is suspected in puppyhood and confirmed if descent has not occurred by six months.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog develops sudden, severe belly pain.

Diagnosis and tests

The vet checks the scrotum and feels the groin for a retained testicle. Ultrasound can help locate a testicle inside the abdomen before surgery. Hormone blood tests may confirm testicular tissue when examination is inconclusive or previous neutering is uncertain.

Breeds with documented risk

28 breeds

By breed size
  • 5 Toy
  • 7 Small
  • 10 Medium
  • 5 Large
  • 1 Giant

Most popular breeds on this list

All 28 breeds, A to Z

Inheritance

  • Not yet known

    None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.

Sources

  1. vet.cornell.edu
  2. Basset Artésien Normand: skk.se
  3. Boxer: merckvetmanual.com
  4. Broholmer: broholmeren.dk
  5. Bulldog: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Canadian Eskimo Dog: canadianeskimodogclub.com
  7. Chinook: chinookclubofamerica.org
  8. Hamiltonstovare: skk.se
  9. Lapponian Herder: kennelliitto.fi
  10. Miniature Poodle: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. Slovak Cuvac: bin.yhdistysavain.fi
  12. Swedish Elkhound (jämthund): skk.se
  13. Swiss Hound: skk.se
  14. Yakutian Laika: jakutianlaika.fi