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Should I neuter my dog whose testicle has not descended?
Q
My one year old Sheltie has a testicle that has not descended. I’m not interested in breeding or showing him. The breeder says “do not neuter him” while my vet says “yes, you should neuter him”. What do you think?
A
Your vet is correct. If a testicle does not descend, that means that it is retained inside the abdomen. In this location, the ambient temperature is far warmer than if it was in the scrotum, as it should be. This warmer temperature means that the retained testicle has a high risk of turning cancerous. For this reason, removal of the retained testicle is always recommended.
If you are worried about your pet's health, visit the Petfix DIY Triage Checker or talk to your vet as soon as possible.