HEALTH INFO
In early 2002 I noticed that Marble was pacing around the back yard and appeared to be in a great deal of pain. Off to emergeny clinic we went and we found that his bladder was completely full but he was unable to relieve himself. We tried inserting a line into his urethra (thinking he had stones) but that did no good. As a last resort Marble had surgery and it was found that one of his testicles had not descended and was now blocking the urination process. At the age of 6 and with few records from his rescue we do not know if his second testicle was removed during a neuter or didn't develop also. It had been much too long for scars to be visible.
Cryptorchidism is a condition present at birth in which one or both testicles fail to descend into the scortum from where they develop in the abdomen. If they have not descended by approximately two months of age there is usually little chance that they will. An undescended testicle is usually underdeveloped and non functional. However it is a potential source for problems later in life (like Marble, especially cancer) if it is not removed. It is believed to be an inherited trait and dogs with this condition should not be bred.
Cryptorchidism is diagnosed by palpation of the scrotum and finding the absence of one or both testicles. Depending on where the undescended testicle is located an abdominal ultrasound examination or measurement of blod testosterone levels may help with the diagnosis.
Castration is the recommended treatment.