Cryptorchidism means that one or both testes have not reached the scrotum. In cats it is easily missed in a young kitten and then presents later as a tom that sprays and smells like an intact male but has an empty scrotum, often adopted as "already neutered". The exam focus is telling a cryptorchid from a neutered cat, knowing that the retained testis still makes testosterone, and removing both testes.
Key facts
Cryptorchidism at a glance- Species and system: cat; male reproductive tract, developmental defect.
- Cause: a combination of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors; inheritance is suspected (MSD).
- Classic presentation: adult male with an empty scrotum on one or both sides, with or without spraying and tomcat odour.
- Fertility: unilateral cryptorchids are usually fertile; bilateral cryptorchids are sterile but still make testosterone (MSD).
- Location: in one cat series, inguinal cryptorchidism was the most common form (Yates 2003).
- Treatment: surgical removal of the retained testis, and normally the scrotal one too.
What's inside
14 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Clinical approach in practice
- Breeding and ethical points
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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