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Neutering

2277 Views 37 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  MalteseJane
Has anyone ever had to have exploratory surgery when having your puppy neutered? I purchased my puppy last Friday and I took him to the Vet. to arrange for the neutering and he said that Bijou will have to have a more serious surgery than just a simple neutering. Has anyone else had to go through this? I guess this would have definitely disqualified him for show/stud purposes. Please help. He is due for surgery on August 18th.
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Oh ok, well I do wish your puppy a safe surgery and a rapid recovery. He will be ok, don't worry too much, poor little guy
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The partner of the breeder just called to ask how Bijou was doing with paper training. I told her about the upcoming exploratory surgery and she thinks that I should wait until he is 8 months old to see if they will drop on their own. She said that she had to wait to show a dog until he was older so he wouldn't be disqualified from future shows. Maybe I should postpone the surgery until October. Help
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Originally posted by Bijousmom@Jul 16 2005, 05:33 PM
The partner of the breeder just called to ask how Bijou was doing with paper training.  I told her about the upcoming exploratory surgery and she thinks that I should wait until he is 8 months old to see if they will drop on their own.  She said that she had to wait to show a dog until he was older so he wouldn't be disqualified from future shows.  Maybe I should postpone the surgery until October.  Help

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If you have a vet you can trust, I would discuss the pros and cons of waiting. If you have all the facts for both choices, then you should be equipped to make the best decision. Good luck!!!
Alex had one undescended testicle too. I had my vet examine him right after I bought him and nobody said anything. I had him neutered at 6 months and that was when it was mentioned to me and that the surgery would be a little more extensive because they will have to look for it. It did not cost me much more because they found it very close. It was not a big deal. Now if you don't intend to use your dog as a stud, I don't see the purpose to wait until he is 8 months old since you will have him neutered anyway.
I just wanted to add that I wish you and your baby all the best. Just remember to get pain meds for after the surgery, especially since it will be more invasive and probably cause a little more discomfort. Keep us posted.
Harley also has undescended testicles - I've been doing some research & also asking around - a friend of mine recommended x-rays first to determine where they are (we can't feel them) - obvioulsy this is an additional cost, but I'm going to go ahead because then at least the vet will know where they are before the surgery.

Good luck - please keep us posted, I'd be very interested to find out how everything goes - given Harley is going to have the same surgery soon!

Thanks
Originally posted by HarleysMum@Jul 17 2005, 12:46 AM
Harley also has undescended testicles - I've been doing some research & also asking around - a friend of mine recommended x-rays first to determine where they are (we can't feel them) - obvioulsy this is an additional cost, but I'm going to go ahead because then at least the vet will know where they are before the surgery.

Good luck - please keep us posted, I'd be very interested to find out how everything goes - given Harley is going to have the same surgery soon!

Thanks
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How old is Harley?
Originally posted by Bijousmom@Jul 18 2005, 05:16 AM
How old is Harley?
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Harley is 15 months old - DOB: 9 April 04.
2
I would told that Kodie need exploratory surgery but it was for his liver... not neutering... I didnt like the whole idea.. but I think your situation is alittle bit more common and it shouldnt be a BIG concern as long as your vet knows what they are doing.
Keep us updated on your little guy! I'm sure he will be A OK!
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As far as I understood at the time, undescended testicles is hereditary. I passed along the information to Alex's breeder since she used a new male to breed Alex.
Originally posted by MalteseJane@Jul 18 2005, 10:42 AM
As far as I understood at the time, undescended testicles is hereditary. I passed along the information to Alex's breeder since she used a new male to breed Alex.
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I've always heard it was genetic, too.

Cryptorchidism: Undescended Testicles
Race Foster, DVM
Marty Smith, DVM
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


At birth, the testicles of a puppy are still within his abdomen. As the animal develops, the testicles slowly 'descend' into the scrotum. In mammals, sperm development does not occur correctly at the high temperatures found within the body. The testicles are therefore held outside of the abdomen and within the scrotum to provide a cooler environment. The production of testosterone is usually not influenced by temperature.
Frequently, owners notice that the puppy they just purchased only has one or possibly no testicles within the scrotum. Although different dates are listed in some of the veterinary literature, both testicles are usually within the scrotum by the time the animal is six weeks of age and they should definitely be there by the time the puppy is eight to ten weeks of age. If one or both testicles are not present at that location by twelve weeks of age, they probably never will be and the animal is said to be suffering from cryptorchidism or 'retained testicles.' This is a disorder that may be passed from generation to generation.

What are the symptoms?

These animals rarely show any abnormalities because of this condition. They have normal activity levels, growth, and behavior. Although fertility may be affected, they will usually show normal breeding behavior and frequently impregnate females, especially when one of the testicles has descended into the scrotum.

What are the risks?

Some researchers believe that dogs with cryptorchidism may have a higher incidence of other testicular diseases. Specifically, these would be cancer and torsion.

What is the management?

Cryptorchid dogs should never be allowed to breed. This is a well-documented genetic trait, passed on to future generations. In addition, because of the potential for an increased incidence of torsion or cancer within the retained testicle, it is strongly recommended that all of these individuals be neutered. The surgery to remove a retained testicle is more involved than a routine neuter. The veterinarian must literally hunt for the testicle, which may be located anywhere from the area around the kidney in the abdomen to the muscle near the groin.

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Originally posted by LadysMom+Jul 18 2005, 10:49 AM-->
<!--QuoteBegin-MalteseJane
@Jul 18 2005, 10:42 AM
As far as I understood at the time, undescended testicles is hereditary. I passed along the information to Alex's breeder since she used a new male to breed Alex.
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I've always heard it was genetic, too.

Cryptorchidism: Undescended Testicles
Race Foster, DVM
Marty Smith, DVM
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


At birth, the testicles of a puppy are still within his abdomen. As the animal develops, the testicles slowly 'descend' into the scrotum. In mammals, sperm development does not occur correctly at the high temperatures found within the body. The testicles are therefore held outside of the abdomen and within the scrotum to provide a cooler environment. The production of testosterone is usually not influenced by temperature.
Frequently, owners notice that the puppy they just purchased only has one or possibly no testicles within the scrotum. Although different dates are listed in some of the veterinary literature, both testicles are usually within the scrotum by the time the animal is six weeks of age and they should definitely be there by the time the puppy is eight to ten weeks of age. If one or both testicles are not present at that location by twelve weeks of age, they probably never will be and the animal is said to be suffering from cryptorchidism or 'retained testicles.' This is a disorder that may be passed from generation to generation.

What are the symptoms?

These animals rarely show any abnormalities because of this condition. They have normal activity levels, growth, and behavior. Although fertility may be affected, they will usually show normal breeding behavior and frequently impregnate females, especially when one of the testicles has descended into the scrotum.

What are the risks?

Some researchers believe that dogs with cryptorchidism may have a higher incidence of other testicular diseases. Specifically, these would be cancer and torsion.

What is the management?

Cryptorchid dogs should never be allowed to breed. This is a well-documented genetic trait, passed on to future generations. In addition, because of the potential for an increased incidence of torsion or cancer within the retained testicle, it is strongly recommended that all of these individuals be neutered. The surgery to remove a retained testicle is more involved than a routine neuter. The veterinarian must literally hunt for the testicle, which may be located anywhere from the area around the kidney in the abdomen to the muscle near the groin.


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Do you think that waiting until he is 9 months old would change the surgery? His breeder thinks that if I wait until he is older that it might drop down by itself, something about a ring closing?
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I'd probably follow my vet's recommendation on this one if he is a trusted vet, otherwise it certainly wouldn't hurt to get another opinion. Don't know about taking the breeders advice. I question the motivation of many of them, especially one who didn't tell you about his condition when you bought him. But that's just my opinion.

The only thing I'd probably be worried about as far as waiting is that he might start with some of the undesirable male traits like marking which don't always stop after neutering. And, of course, he is still fertile.
if they havent dropped by the time he is 6 months...they arent going to drop. i wouldnt wait. sometimes the vet can see the testicles under the skin that are out of the abdomen but not in the scrotum..these of course are easier to find..and have more of a chance of dropping. but if they are in the abdomen, chances are they arent going anywhere.
the ring your breeder was talking about is the inguinal ring. there is an inguinal canal that has a "ring" at both ends. it is almost like a passage way between the inside abdominal wall and the outside abdominal wall. it is the passage way the testicle goes through to enter the scrotum. i know probably TMI ...sorry

yes it is genetic, and they should not breed the parents.
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Originally posted by LadyMontava@Jul 18 2005, 07:25 PM
if they havent dropped by the time he is 6 months...they arent going to drop.  i wouldnt wait.  sometimes the vet can see the testicles under the skin that are out of the abdomen but not in the scrotum..these of course are easier to find..and have more of a chance of dropping.  but if they are in the abdomen, chances are they arent going anywhere.
the ring your breeder was talking about is the inguinal ring.  there is an inguinal canal that has a "ring" at both ends.  it is almost like a passage way between the inside abdominal wall and the outside abdominal wall.  it is the passage way the testicle goes through to enter the scrotum.  i know probably TMI ...sorry

yes it is genetic, and they should not breed the parents.
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It would be impossible for TMI because I can use all of the information that anyone can give me. Help. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place, not knowing where to turn. Thank you for your help. Keep it coming. So do you think that I should go ahead with the surgery for August 18th?
ask and u shall recieve then
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I would go ahead with the surgery. In 3 months he will be bigger and the area to search for will be bigger too. So there will be a bigger scar. That's just my thought, I don't know, I could be wrong.
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