Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Bob Russell — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:15:29 GMT

One problem if you only remove the inguinal testicle is what happens if the dog is rehomed? if the vet for the new owner advises neutering is he going to spend time and effort doing an exploratory lap to find something that is not there? It is not nice exploring for something that is not there!

Best remove both so there can be no argument! If you remove one perhaps note on the microchip details so there is a fighting chance of preventing unnecessary surgery later on in life.

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Rob Loxley — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:40:35 GMT

We acquired an OESD from another practice with a unilateral inguinal testicle. They had been warned when he was a pup of higher risk of neoplasia and decided to castrate only if a problem. Unfortunately by the time the dog presented for it's inguinal tumor, it had metastasised internally. Ok, one case does not make a series, but how good/compliant are owners at monitoring for changes in an inguinal testicle; why run the risk? I'd encourage them to remove that testicle but wouldn't necessarily push for bilat surgery.

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Kate Richardson — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:28:13 GMT

Thanks for your replies so far. The owners don't intend to breed from him, but they have had no behavioural issues with him so far and seems a nice little dog. They would be happy to remove just the inguinal testicle if it may cause problems, and I have suggested a suprelorin implant to assess his behaviour/personality prior to bilat castration. But unintentional breeding might be a way of persuading them to take both off, so he doesn't pass it on. I haven't seen any problems myself from long term inguinal retention, so thanks for sharing your experiences.

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:16:24 GMT

Although I am quite happy people keeping male dogs entire if they have no problems I always recommend castration if retained. The possibility of it becoming neoplastic is there and when explained never had someone say no. Since it's likely inherited then the dog not good for breeding anyway.

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Stuart Fitzgerald — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:59:42 GMT

[quote user="mel"]

I do a lot of work at a greyhound track, where the trainers won't neuter a male dog until he retires, even if he is cryptorchid. I haven't seen any problems (so far!) in these dogs, although they do usually get neutered when they retire from racing. I guess as long as the owners are aware of any potential (small) risks then it is their decision. Entire Westies can sometimes be a bit of a handful though, neutering might be best for behavioural reasons.

[/quote]

Interestingly enough, greyhound trainers in Ireland are very keen to remove unilateral inguinal testicles (particularly LHS) as they are often blamed for the dog failing to corner tightly. I am told by the greyhound guru in our practice that a neutered male will continue to perform to the same level on the track but I would be a little skeptical.

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

stephen sargent — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:55:57 GMT

Neoplasia and torsion are the only ones I can think of. If it's palpable then neoplasia not an undue risk as it can be spotted early, unlike an abdominal testis. Not a good idea to breed from him so perhaps best neutered after all!

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Bob Russell — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:51:25 GMT

A few years ago I had to remove a mass from the inguinal area of a 'neutered' male dog. We had a history from a previous vet (not that local to us here!) indicating that they had neutered it!

To our surprise the pathology showed a sertoli cell tumour! I wonder if the vet that neutered the dog could count to two!

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

mel — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:16:23 GMT

Re: Inguinal testicle- any complications?

Mark Holmes — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:38:23 GMT

Technically they can become neoplastic due to higher body temperature but I'm sure that I last read an article about prophylactic neutering of cryptorchid dogs when you factored in post op complications associated with removing them they were no better off. Post op complications were rare but then so was metastasis and theraputic castration was adequate. Thats my recollection of an article read some time ago. I cannot remember if it distinguished between inguinal and abdominal testes.