Testicular Torsion
Cause: Testicular torsion, a twisting of the testis around on its venous vasculature, is more common in cryptorchid males with a retained abdominal testis but may also occur in normal males with bilateral testes. Twisting of the venous vessels inhibits blood entering the testis from leaving. As a result, the testis becomes engorged with blood.
Symptoms: Dogs with testicular torsion exhibit pronounced enlargement of the testis. Pain may be so intense as to elicit a state of shock (rapid heartbeat [tachycardia], delayed capillary refill time, pale or muddy mucus membranes, weak pulse, vomiting). Torsion of a retained testis presents as abdominal pain.
Diagnosis: Torsion of a scrotal testis is made upon observation of the acute presenting symptoms and evidence of a firm mass in the scrotum. Torsion of abdominal testis is highly suspect in symptomatic, cryptorchid dogs when abdominal palpation indicates a large, firm mass in the abdomen. Ultrasound imaging is a method for confirmation of this diagnosis.
Treatment and Prognosis: Castration is the preferred method of treatment, particularly in cryptorchid males. Treatment of males with reproductive value is limited to removal of the torsed testis while attempting to spare the remaining healthy testis. Attempts to save the torsed testis by derotation are typically unsuccessful due to irreparable damage resulting from the compromised vasculature.
Cause: Testicular torsion, a twisting of the testis around on its venous vasculature, is more common in cryptorchid males with a retained abdominal testis but may also occur in normal males with bilateral testes. Twisting of the venous vessels inhibits blood entering the testis from leaving. As a result, the testis becomes engorged with blood.
Symptoms: Dogs with testicular torsion exhibit pronounced enlargement of the testis. Pain may be so intense as to elicit a state of shock (rapid heartbeat [tachycardia], delayed capillary refill time, pale or muddy mucus membranes, weak pulse, vomiting). Torsion of a retained testis presents as abdominal pain.
Diagnosis: Torsion of a scrotal testis is made upon observation of the acute presenting symptoms and evidence of a firm mass in the scrotum. Torsion of abdominal testis is highly suspect in symptomatic, cryptorchid dogs when abdominal palpation indicates a large, firm mass in the abdomen. Ultrasound imaging is a method for confirmation of this diagnosis.
Treatment and Prognosis: Castration is the preferred method of treatment, particularly in cryptorchid males. Treatment of males with reproductive value is limited to removal of the torsed testis while attempting to spare the remaining healthy testis. Attempts to save the torsed testis by derotation are typically unsuccessful due to irreparable damage resulting from the compromised vasculature.