[JulieS]

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.

[lachlanandmarcus]

No experience of that but can I just say Hector is lovely :-)))

[JulieS]

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!!   

[Sylvia]

If you follow his belly up from his scotum you may well feel the other testicle, a little rounded lump

[funkyfish]

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!!

[JulieS]

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 

[Mammyshaz]

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   

[doganjo]

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 

[JulieS]

Thank you all 

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

 

[Bionic]

Julie he is gorgeous. Those sad eyes must be very difficult to resist.

[JulieS]

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!

 

[JulieS]

I'll try again with the picture.

[SallyintNorth]

Beautiful boy!   

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?

[JulieS]

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. 

[HelenVF]

What a thoroughly handsome chap! 

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

Helen