RE: Unilateral testicular atrophy

Fable — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 00:39:41 GMT

Thanks for your reply and the reference. I have got him booked in for castration next Monday

RE: Unilateral testicular atrophy

Rodney Ayl — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 09:49:24 GMT

Here is a relatively recent abstract from Fernando Mir (May 2013, Point Veterinaire 44(335):24-28):

Testicular asymmetry is often seen in older dogs. The most common cause is testicular tumours. Testicular asymmetry may be caused by other rarer conditions such as epididymitis or orchitis, torsion of the spermatic cord, hydroceles, spermatoceles, testicular cysts and certain scrotal diseases (tumours, scrotites, hernias). The diagnosis is often made on clinical examination and confirmed by ultrasonography. Castration is almost always required, except in young breeding dogs for which medical alternatives may be attempted.

Unfortunately, in most cases, you will not know the final diagnosis until you have a biopsy report, and needle aspirations are not routinely recommended on testicles. Since breeding is out for this pet anyway, my hope would be that the biopsy does come back benign; that would be the best possible outcome. It is also possible that the skin condition may resolve after castration, if there is some sort of hormonal influence; an additional benefit!

Hope this helps!