What is Orchidectomy?
• Orchidectomy is the removal of one or both testicles.
• Neutering is a bilateral orchidectomy.
Why is orchidectomy performed?
Bilateral orchidectomy is most often performed to prevent a male dog from breeding and to prevent prostatic and testicular diseases. Orchidectomy may be performed for the treatment of testicular tumors and some prostate gland conditions. It is also used to control hormonal (testosterone) dependent diseases such as anal adenomas.
My dog has only one testicle and my veterinarian recommends an orchidectomy. Why is this?
In the male fetus the testicles begin their development next to the kidneys and migrate through the inguinal canal into the scrotum. Both testicles should be in the scrotum at birth, although one or both testicles may be delayed. Both testicles should be descended by 6 to 8 months of age. Undescended testicles or cryptorchidism occurs when a testicle becomes trapped in the abdomen. These testicles are at greater risk for developing complications including cancer.
Cryptorchidism is considered an inherited condition and affected dogs should not be bred.
The surgical procedure is similar to a normal neutering except that two procedures are performed: one on the normal testicle and another abdominal surgery to remove the undescended testicle.
Based on material written by Ernest Ward, DVM. and modified with permission from Lifelearn Inc.
© Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc.
