The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 11:56:38 am

Title: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 11:56:38 am
My basset hound, Hector, who was 1 at the end of February has only got one testicle descended.

On the advice of the vet, and others on here, I've waited to get him castrated.  He's just had his annual vaccinations and the vet says that he can be 'done' at anytime now, and suggests definitely within the next year because of the above problem.

She's not sure how long the operation will last, because they will have to find the one testicle that is hiding.  This could involve several wounds because they might have to open him up in several places to find it.

And just because Hector is so 'special' it is the left one that is missing, which is unusual apparently....it's usually the right one that doesn't descend because it has further to travel.....The things you learn when you are at the vets!!

The vet says that if it isn't there now it is unlikely to drop on it's own.

Anyone else had any experience of this? 

Many thanks for your help.

Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on May 09, 2012, 12:26:50 pm
No experience of that but can I just say Hector is lovely :-))) :dog:
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 12:30:47 pm
Thank you.....He is lovely, can be naughty, but he is lovely  :)

Here's a picture of his latest 'trick'....sitting on the garden table so that he can see the pigs better!!   



Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: Sylvia on May 09, 2012, 01:12:49 pm
If you follow his belly up from his scotum you may well feel the other testicle, a little rounded lump :dog:
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: funkyfish on May 09, 2012, 01:53:36 pm
It can be genetic so neutering to avoid cancer and Passing the gene on is recommended. One of mine hadnit, and as a vet nurse have seen loads done, some 5 min jobs some 3 hours some were actually hermaphradites! We usuall open up mid line and delve in so can a propper  search of the abdominal. Yes they may have a bigger wound than needed, but it saves having to make more then one wound. They usually recover very quickly!!

Top tip!!! Halve the exercise he has a couple weeks before hand to drop his fitness levels as it will be 10days of bed rest afterwards!!
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 01:56:57 pm
Many thanks Sylvia and funkyfish.

The vet has had a good feel and unfortunately can't feel anything.

Great tip about the exercise funky fish.

Thank you both  :)
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: Mammyshaz on May 09, 2012, 02:49:23 pm
It's not usually a difficult op but can be time taking to find if in the abdomen rather than the groin. Still it's much safer to do now while he is fit an d healthy than in a few years when the risk of it developing into a tumour. They recover very quickly when done young too.
We advise still lead exercise after 24 hrs so dogs don't get too wound up at home, but your vet will let u know what they prefer. Just try not to look at that cute face of hectors when you leave him, he is sooo lovely   :love:
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: doganjo on May 09, 2012, 03:26:21 pm
All this advice is exactly what I would say too.  Luckily I have never had this with any of my dogs, but it is prevalent in some breeds I know.  I'm sure he'll be fine, give him an extra cuddle from all his TAS fans  ;D
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 03:45:18 pm
Thank you all  :)

He's sitting here sending you all some loving drool!!

 :love:
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: Bionic on May 09, 2012, 03:51:11 pm
Julie he is gorgeous. Those sad eyes must be very difficult to resist.
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 03:55:09 pm
When you are owned by bassets you have to learn to resist those hypnotic eyes.......Well you have to try to anyway .

Here's a picture of both mine....Phoebe (11) and Hector trying to get as close as they can to my tame lamb.

They are desperate to 'play' with her!

 :) :)
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 03:56:11 pm
I'll try again with the picture. :)
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: SallyintNorth on May 09, 2012, 05:04:59 pm
Beautiful boy!   :love: :dog:

My working collie dog had two undescended testicles, removed on veterinary advice a year or so ago.  No problems getting over the op, no loss of enthusiasm for work.  He has put on a little weight but not excessively so, and I am pretty sure that's me letting him have a wee bit more tucker now he's a veteran (he's eight this year - doing well for a collie working the uplands.)

When I was dithering about whether to have the op or not, the vet mentioned that she could scan him to see what was going on... that wouldn't be an option to locate Hector's undescended testicle and save him some scars, would it?
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 09, 2012, 05:17:51 pm
That's a great idea Sally.  I hadn't thought of that.

I'm going to try and plan the op for when I haven't got any piglets due.....Hector gets very excited when there are piglets about. 
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: HelenVF on May 09, 2012, 06:26:31 pm
What a thoroughly handsome chap! 

My friend's spinone had an undescended testicle and she got the vet to remove it. 

Helen
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: HappyHippy on May 09, 2012, 06:32:00 pm
I can't help with advice about the castration, bit it does sound like a quick scan first would be a better option than extra cuts being made in your poor boy.
I just had to post and say AAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW - he's gorgeous  :love:
Those eyes  :love: I'd let him sit on the table all day if he was mine  ::) How could you say no to that face ?
I'll send some vibes for post-op recovery  ;)
Karen  :wave:
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: RaisinHall Tamworths on May 09, 2012, 10:00:39 pm
He is gorgeous.  My house has been bassettless for too long now after mine was pts a couple of years ago, have been putting off getting another but as time goes on I'm wanting another more and more  :love:.  Just love them, they are such characters, naughty but you can't help but love them  ;D

Hope Hector's op goes ok, I work at a vets and it can vary how long it takes due to location but definately best to get it done now whilst he is young, fit and healthy  :)
Title: Re: Hector - he's only got one ball!
Post by: JulieS on May 10, 2012, 05:04:30 am
Thank you so much everyone  :love:

Time to get another one....or two basset RainsinHall Tamworths!    :)