Dog - Orchidectomy

What is orchidectomy?

• Orchidectomy is the removal of one or both testes.
• Castration is bilateral orchidectomy.

Why is orchidectomy performed?

Bilateral orchidectomy or castration, neuters or desexes the dog. It is often carried out for social rather than medical reasons. Orchidectomy may also be performed for the treatment of testicular tumours and sometimes infections involving the prostate gland. It is also used to control hormonal (testerone) dependent diseases such as tumours around the anus (anal adenomata).

My dog has only one testicle and I am told that orchidectomy will have to be carried out. Why is this?

In the male foetus the testes commence their development next to the kidneys and travel through the inguinal canal (a small hole in the abdominal muscles located in the groin region) to come to rest in the scrotum. Both should be present in the scrotum at birth although sometimes one or both testes may be delayed during the journey. If descent is not completed by the time the puppy reaches puberty the higher temperature within the body may result in changes in the gonads which can result in enlargement and sometimes development of cancer. It is for this reason that it is advisable to remove any retained testes.

In addition, the enlarged testis often secretes excess male hormones which can produce skin and behavioural changes. The enlarged testis, can, on occasion, cause obstruction to other organs.

Since the condition may be hereditary veterinary surgeons usually discuss castration and removal of the normal testis while the dog is under the anaesthetic since castration in these circumstances is likely to have more advantages than disadvantages as discussed in our handout on Castration or neutering.