A delicate question about male dogs

[gritsar]

Please forgive my ignorance about this, but the last male dog I can remember my family having was when I was six years old; a male dalmation named Mike. We've always had a preference for females in my family.
Okay, so when will they drop? (If you know what I mean). Is my 5 month old pup defective?

ETA: Laughing at my ignorance is optional.

 

[Mourningdove]

In my experience their buddies will drop by the time they are 6mo to a year as their horomones and maturity sets in.

 

[keesmom]

Are you sure they aren't where they should be? Did the vet check the last time the pup was in for shots? You definitely don't want them to go retained for too long.

-Cindy in MA

 

[gaited horse]

they can be fixed at 6 moths if thats what you mean

 

[wombat]

Most of the time, they'll drop by about 8 weeks. Some may take up to six months, however.

Beyond six months, it's increasingly unlikely that a late one will drop. The testicle increases in size, the inguinal ring closes, and eventually an undescended testicle is trapped. When all of this gets to the point of "it's now impossible" will vary by individual, though.

The conventional wisdom is to neuter if they don't drop, on the theory that undescended testicles are more prone to cancer. I don't know if the conventional wisdom is accurate, however.

The other reason to neuter is that the difficulty with testicles descending is often due to a genetic fault, and will be passed on by breeding.

Your vet can give you advice on your specific situation.

If you bought this dog from a breeder, you may be able to at least get them to agree to help with the cost of treatment or absorb the cost of neutering. Some will offer to replace the dog. (I'm sure most know full well that nobody's going to "replace" a pet).

edit: Your vet could use an ultrasound exam to see where the undescended testicle is relative to the inguinal ring.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

Your puppy definitely should have two distinctive testicles of about the same size.

If he does not, you need to discuss with your veterinarian and schedule having them removed as a high percentage of retained testicles eventually go malignant.

 

[gritsar]

Okay, y'all can laugh now.
See, the vet examined him well at his last visit, but she never said if anything was wrong.
I was just wondering cuz I mean the sack was there, but it looked awful small.

So I figured it was empty.
After reading y'all's replies I just got a little more personal with the puppy than I prefer to get (I'm not a prude, honest!).
As Dove so nicely put it, his buddies are there. Seem to be the same size, guess they're just a little small yet. *whew*


(Why don't we have a blushing smiley?)

 

[gaited horse]

Quote:
poor dog must have felt s embarresed

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
poor dog must have felt s imbarresed

HE was embarrased??? What about me?

 

[maplesky7]