Testicular Atrophy in Dogs

Although not a very common condition, dogs' testicles can develop atrophy that requires treatment or surgery to resolve. Sometimes, neutering is also a good option to solve the problem.

Let's take a detailed look at everything related to testicular atrophy in dogs, what it involves, what the possible origins of this veterinary condition are, and what we can do to help our dog.

What Is Testicular Atrophy?

Testicular atrophy refers to the process in which one or both of the dog's testicles undergo a degenerative process and normally shrink in size, becoming less or not at all functional.

It can be hereditary (a predisposition in individuals whose relatives have had it) or non-hereditary and acquired (developing over the course of the animal's life with no genetic predisposition at all).

Why Do Some Dogs Develop Testicular Atrophy?

Testicular atrophy isn't due to a single cause. It can be due to several, which could be grouped into two of the most common. In order from most to least likely to occur: cryptorchidism and testicular tumors. Let's explain each of these.

• Cryptorchidism: this is the hereditary failure of testicular descent into the scrotal sac through the inguinal canals. Testicular descent in puppies should occur within their first two months of life. Beyond four months without descending, there's a high chance one or both won't fully descend into the scrotum, resulting in cryptorchidism and the consequences this condition brings.

So, it can be uni- or bilateral (one or both testicles fail to descend). The abnormal location of this testicle or both can be in the abdomen or the inguinal area. The problem with this is that these testicles can develop tumors and atrophy from being in another abnormal cavity with a higher-than-normal temperature.

That said, cryptorchid testicles can keep producing testosterone but not sperm.

• Testicular tumors: testicular tumors are mostly diagnosed in geriatric males, at an average age of ten years. There are breeds with a higher predisposition, such as the Boxer, Chihuahua, Miniature Poodle, and Miniature Schnauzer, which can be affected at an earlier age.

It's been published that the risk of neoplasia in cryptorchid testicles is nine to fourteen times higher than in normal scrotal testicles (Moreno et al., 2012). Examples of these can include: Sertoli cell tumor (SCT or sertolinoma), Leydig cell tumor, seminomas…

How Can I Know If My Dog Has Testicular Atrophy?

In the case of cryptorchidism, symptoms will be clear, since only one testicle or none will be visible in the scrotal sac. A subcutaneous lump shaped like a testicle, of varying size, may be observed in the area around the penis.

Dogs with testicular tumors may be brought in for a possible lump in the inguinal or scrotal area. In rare cases, a tumor causes abdominal enlargement with spermatic cord torsion, leading to an acute abdomen (Gregory et al., 2008; Higginbotham and Lynn, 2010).

In cases of testicular tumors, generally the testicle's size, shape, or firmness changes. So, in many cases, it will be easy to notice with the naked eye.

What Veterinary Tests Are Needed?

As with any condition, the vet will need to follow a routine process consisting first of a history, gathering details such as how long the symptoms have been present, how they've progressed, etc. Afterward, a general physical exam of the patient will be performed to check for any possible systemic sign.

Next, the specialist will palpate the inguinal or abdominal area looking for the testicle(s) located outside the scrotal sac. As for additional tests, to diagnose, for example, cryptorchidism in a dog, an ultrasound will be needed to locate the testicle(s) that haven't properly descended into the scrotum. This will be important when it comes to surgery to remove it.

What to Do When a Dog Has Testicular Atrophy?

Treatment for cryptorchidism should be orchiectomy, or neutering (of both testicles). As mentioned earlier, the vet performing the ultrasound will locate the abnormally positioned testicle(s). Afterward, they'll be removed under general anesthesia by the surgeon. It's not a complicated surgery and can save you many of the worries mentioned in the causes section.

After removal, it's recommended that the vet send both removed testicles to the reference lab to detect any neoplastic or tumor cells or processes in them.

Testicles not affected by cryptorchidism can still produce sperm, so breeding these individuals isn't recommended, since being a hereditary disorder, it can be passed on to future generations.

Recovery is excellent in dogs neutered before complications like neoplasms arise. That said, if in doubt or if a change in the animal's behavior is noticed, it's essential to take the dog to a vet. Any check-up done in time is for the best.