Retained testicle

[Rachel Ryan]

Hi All

 I have a question to seek advice on, Perry is now 9 months old and only one of his testicles have dropped, I have contacted the breeder for advice and she has said it may still drop and wait until 12 months, for the growth plates to fully form ( the vet has said it will not, and can locate the other one in his stomach region and has said it is a genetic fault and in the bloodline and he needs to be fully desexed) and if not get him desexed, I am so unsure of what to do and also very upset as we went through a breeder who had lots of show dogs and checks etc and was expensive, for this to occur. I have read previous post that it will affect his coat and growth but if I leave it , it could develop into cancer. Any thoughts or advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks Rachel

[Jean Russell]

I'm a vet with an entire male setter who I don't plan to castrate. In your case I would ask your vet to remove the abdominal testicle which is certainly a cancer risk. His hormone production from the one remaining scrotal testicle will be more than adequate and his coat will not change in character.

[Rachel Ryan]

Thank you for the advice. I will most probably take this path, and what age would you recommend to get the retained testicle removed??

[Jean Russell]

I suppose by the time he's a year old it should be done. Ask your vets when they are happy to do it. Also, yes, it's highly hereditary so he must not be used for breeding.