Cryptorchidism - when should I neuter?

BGSD · 12-22-2011, 06:09 PM

My now 1 year-old GSD is cryptorchid; one of the testicles never descended.

How long can I wait before neutering? I was hoping to wait until he's fully grown (18 months?), but I'm also worried about the cancer risk.

Emoore · 12-22-2011, 06:13 PM

Of course the testicular cancer risk goes away when you have him neutered. So the question is: what are the odds that he'll get testicular cancer between 1 year and 18 months? My opinion is that the odds are low, but that's just my opinion.

BGSD · 12-22-2011, 06:21 PM

That's what I'm wondering. I doubt there is that much of a risk, but I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with this issue and if so, when they neutered.

Barb E · 12-22-2011, 06:35 PM

Dante was cryptorchid and I had him neutered at 14 months.

If faced with it again I'd wait - I think the risk of the testicular cancer is much lower in a young dog.

Dante's testicle was hiding way up where the vet had never seen it before, I'd also as for an ultrasound first to locate that pesky hiding male bit before next time as well. Poor Dante ended up with an incision longer than a spay incision!!

Josh's mom · 12-22-2011, 06:41 PM

Josh was cryptorchid too, he was 7 mo old when he was neutered, I wish we would have waited too, vet said young dogs usually come out of surgery faster and easier than older dogs so we went ahead and did it. He was pretty unhappy the first day, after that it was as if he hadn't had surgery at all.

Whiteshepherds · 12-22-2011, 07:31 PM

Harley was also cryptorchid and we waited until a few months before he turned 2. He probably could have gone longer and looked more masculine but I was more worried about his future health than whether or not he looked like a male.

arycrest · 12-22-2011, 10:24 PM

I've had several dogs with a retained testicle. I was told by my vet they could safely wait to be neutered until they were between 18 and 24 months old without having to worry about cancer.

robinhuerta · 12-23-2011, 06:20 AM

Waiting until the dog is 2yrs old is not a problem.
There is also the option of only removing the retained testicle...IF...you would rather not neuter your dog at all. (I do know people who have done this)...even with different breeds. These dogs are all well into their adult lives with no problems. (4yrs, 5yrs & 8yrs old). *Bernese Mountain dog, GSD & Border Terrier.*

arycrest · 12-23-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinhuerta

Waiting until the dog is 2yrs old is not a problem.
There is also the option of only removing the retained testicle...IF...you would rather not neuter your dog at all. (I do know people who have done this)...even with different breeds. These dogs are all well into their adult lives with no problems. (4yrs, 5yrs & 8yrs old). *Bernese Mountain dog, GSD & Border Terrier.*

I did this with Mac. He had the retained testicle removed and a vasectomy and he was good to go. Then when he was about 5 or 6 he got an enlarged prostate and was commpletely neutered at that time (the prostate shrank to normal size after the surgery).

BGSD · 12-23-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinhuerta

Waiting until the dog is 2yrs old is not a problem.
There is also the option of only removing the retained testicle...IF...you would rather not neuter your dog at all. (I do know people who have done this)...even with different breeds. These dogs are all well into their adult lives with no problems. (4yrs, 5yrs & 8yrs old). *Bernese Mountain dog, GSD & Border Terrier.*

I'll probably neuter him completely, just to be safe. My plan is to wait until 18 months.

12-22-2011, 06:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
BGSD Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 450	Cryptorchidism - when should I neuter? My now 1 year-old GSD is cryptorchid; one of the testicles never descended. How long can I wait before neutering? I was hoping to wait until he's fully grown (18 months?), but I'm also worried about the cancer risk. __________________ The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me? - Sir Walter Scott

12-22-2011, 06:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	Of course the testicular cancer risk goes away when you have him neutered. So the question is: what are the odds that he'll get testicular cancer between 1 year and 18 months? My opinion is that the odds are low, but that's just my opinion. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

12-22-2011, 06:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
BGSD Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 450	That's what I'm wondering. I doubt there is that much of a risk, but I'm wondering if anyone else has dealt with this issue and if so, when they neutered. __________________ The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me? - Sir Walter Scott

12-22-2011, 06:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Barb E Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 14,437	Dante was cryptorchid and I had him neutered at 14 months. If faced with it again I'd wait - I think the risk of the testicular cancer is much lower in a young dog. Dante's testicle was hiding way up where the vet had never seen it before, I'd also as for an ultrasound first to locate that pesky hiding male bit before next time as well. Poor Dante ended up with an incision longer than a spay incision!! __________________ Dante - March 2004 Kaos von Wolfstraum Oct 2011 "Today is tomorrow's time machine" ~ Dr G ~

12-22-2011, 06:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Josh's mom Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 212	Josh was cryptorchid too, he was 7 mo old when he was neutered, I wish we would have waited too, vet said young dogs usually come out of surgery faster and easier than older dogs so we went ahead and did it. He was pretty unhappy the first day, after that it was as if he hadn't had surgery at all. __________________ Judy Josh (GSD)- 8/10/10 Daisy (ragdoll cat) 10 yrs old Romeo (ragdoll cat) 9 yrs old Caspurr (ragdoll/snowshoe mix) 8 yrs old

12-22-2011, 07:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
Whiteshepherds Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Connecticut Posts: 2,771	Harley was also cryptorchid and we waited until a few months before he turned 2. He probably could have gone longer and looked more masculine but I was more worried about his future health than whether or not he looked like a male. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Harley-WS 4-23-07 Annie-WS 10-18-07 RIP Dakota - WGSD 1995-2007

12-22-2011, 10:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
arycrest Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 8,092	I've had several dogs with a retained testicle. I was told by my vet they could safely wait to be neutered until they were between 18 and 24 months old without having to worry about cancer. __________________ Gayle & the Hooligans Mac, Slider, Bruiser, & Faith MY BRIDGE KIDS: Andy, Abbey, Tasha, Tex, Echo, Yukon, JR, Too, Niki, Bo, Ringer, Kelly, & Honey The Hooligans Photo Albums!

12-23-2011, 06:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
robinhuerta Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,225	Waiting until the dog is 2yrs old is not a problem. There is also the option of only removing the retained testicle...IF...you would rather not neuter your dog at all. (I do know people who have done this)...even with different breeds. These dogs are all well into their adult lives with no problems. (4yrs, 5yrs & 8yrs old). Bernese Mountain dog, GSD & Border Terrier. __________________ Huerta Hof German Shepherds www.teamhuertahof.com ....where breeding is still considered an art....

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