Orchiectomy in Dogs - Surgical Removal of Testicles

The definition of orchiectomy in dogs is simply the surgical removal of their testicles. The word is Greek in origin, deriving from the words orkhi meaning ‘testicle’ and ektomia meaning ‘surgical removal’. There are two main types of orchiectomy:

• Unilateral orchiectomy: only one testicle is removed.
• Bilateral orchiectomy: both testicles are removed.

Many people will use the term orchiectomy synonymously with castration, but they are not exactly the same thing. Castration is a type of neutering, something which prevents a dog from siring puppies. To castrate a dog, you need to carry out a bilateral orchiectomy. However, there may be reasons why only one testicle is removed, so the dog is not neutered.

Reasons why a dog only needs one testicle removed are relatively rare. They include testicular cancer, something which can occur in one or both testicles. If a lump is found in the dog's testicle, it is likely the whole testicle will be removed when it is a tumor. Due to the possible incidence of the cancer spreading, it is common for a bilateral orchiectomy to be performed.

Another reason for orchiectomy in dogs other than castration for neutering purposes is cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism in dogs is a condition which affects male dogs whereby one or more of the testicles has not yet descended. This usually occurs after 8 weeks of age. Although it can take longer, if it has not happened by a certain stage, the dog may need the testicle or testicles to be surgically removed.

In extremely rare cases, it is possible the dog will have polyorchidism^[1]. This is when the dog has more than two testicles. In these cases, the dog will likely have the supernumerary testicle removed, either on its own or with the others as part of a castration procedure.

Castration is recommended for dogs in general. Not only does it help to reduce the number of dogs which are abandoned every year, but it helps to prevent various physical and behavioral disorders in the dog. The operation for surgical removal of a dog's testicles is relatively straightforward and one of the most common veterinary procedures. Take a look at our article on whether a neutered dog lives longer to discover more benefits.

Although an orchiectomy is the removal of a dog's testicle, there are different surgical techniques a veterinary surgeon can use. The chosen surgical method will be the one which best suits the needs and characteristics of the dog. While an orchiectomy can be unilateral or bilateral, the type of procedure also has two main variations:

• Open orchiectomy: requires the opening of the peritoneal cavity for the internal spermatic fascia to be incised. Allows for greater visibility and can reduce risk of hemorrhaging, but also has greater risk of infection due to the cavity opening^[2].
  
  
• Closed orchiectomy: this is the same technique, but the spermatic fascia is not incised. Requires manual dissection of the proper ligament of the epididymis.

Although the closed orchiectomy is considered safer, an open orchiectomy has less risk of bleeding and bruising. Generally speaking, closed orchiectomy is recommended for small dogs and open orchiectomy for larger canines.

The following is the general procedure require for the surgical removal of a dog's testicles:

1. The dog will be given general anesthesia.
2. The area to be operated on will be shaved and disinfected.
3. Surgical drapes will be set up around the surgical field to prevent harmful microbes from entering the incision site.
4. Most commonly, a midline incision is made in the foreskin just in front of the testicles to provide a prescrotal access.
5. One or both of the testicles are removed either by open or closed orchiectomy approaches. This is done after the blood vessels and vas deferens are ligated and divided.
6. Stitches or staples are used to close the incision.

While a prescrotal approach is common, there are other options for orchiectomies. Another technique creates access directly into the scrotum, quickly removing the testicles. It can be done more easily in younger dogs. Perineal access is also possible, although it becomes more complicated to extract the testicles from that location.

Before setting the date for the operation, the veterinarian will do a general review of the dog to discover if there is any condition which may create risk for the dog during or after the procedure. This information can be obtained by taking a blood sample from the dog, but an electrocardiogram or a chest x-ray is also recommended in some cases. This will be at the veterinarian's discretion after taking the dog's medical history.

The night before or about 8-12 hours before we have to remove the dog's access to food and water. During general anesthesia, a dog with a full stomach could vomit and cause aspiration. It is also best of the dog empties their bladder before entering the clinic. As the dog's guardian, you will have to sign an informed consent.

For related information, take a look at our article on why a dog is bleeding from their penis.

Orchiectomy is a simple and fairly quick surgical intervention that also usually has a fast recovery. In the vast majority of cases, you will be able to take the dog home as soon as they wake from the anesthesia. The vet will advise us when we can resume their feeding schedule. They will likely prescribe medication to aid their recovery. Analgesics will be prescribed to manage the pain and antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent bacterial infection.

To avoid complications after neutering the dog, we will need to maintain and clean the dog's incision wound. The veterinarian should show us how to best clean the dog's wound. An e-collar may also be provided to prevent the dog licking or interfering with the wound. The vet will also likely require a checkup after 7-10 days. In some cases, this will require the removal of the stitches, although many procedures use absorbable sutures which do not need to be removed manually.

Although the dog may behave as before the orchiectomy, we need to be careful not to harm the wound. This means keeping them calm and avoiding great physical exertion. We also need to be aware of the dog's mental wellbeing. Some dogs may show aggression after neutering, although this is not usually prolonged. We need to be reassuring and help them to know they will not come to any harm.

It is possible for a hematoma to develop around the incision site or even around the entire scrotum. In these cases, it should go away within a few days. It is important we monitor the wound for signs of infection such as when it bleeds excessively or it is purulent. We also need to look at other signs such as appetite loss, increased heart rate or other signs of complications. In these cases, we must contact the veterinarian immediately.

For more detailed analysis, take a look at our related article on what to expect after neutering your dog.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Orchiectomy in Dogs - Surgical Removal of Testicles, we recommend you visit our Prevention category.