How common is Cryptorchid in horses?

Monorchidism (complete absence of one testicle) is rare in the horse and should only be considered after extensive testing and, potentially, surgical exploration.

How common is bilateral cryptorchidism?

It is the most common birth defect involving the male genitalia. About 3% of full-term and 30% of premature male infants are born with one or both testicles undescended. Approximately 80% of cryptorchid testes descend by the third month of life. This makes the true incidence around 1%.

Is cryptorchidism hereditary in horses?

Cryptorchidism in the horse can occur with either the left or right testis or with both testes. A genetic or heritable basis for the cryptorchid trait has been identified in the pedigrees of certain stallions.

Is cryptorchidism a disease?

Takeaway. Cryptorchidism is a common and treatable condition in which one or both testicles does not drop into the scrotal sac while a male fetus is developing. The condition resolves in 50 percent of cases without treatment.

What kind of abnormality is cryptorchidism in horses?

Cryptorchidism, also known as rig or ridgling, is an abnormality which is developmental in both animals and humans.

Are there any other animals that have cryptorchidism?

Other animals 1 Dogs. Cryptorchidism is common in male dogs, occurring at a rate up to 10%. 2 Cats. Cryptorchidism is rarer in cats than it is in dogs. In one study, 1.9% of intact male cats were cryptorchid. 3 Horses. In horses, cryptorchidism is sufficiently common that affected males ( ridglings) are routinely gelded .

Can a horse get cryptorchidism after a castration?

Complications can arise during normal castration as well as with the removal of retained testes. In routine castrations, horses will experience various degrees of postoperative swelling. Haemorrhage from the surgical sight will be minimal. In the case of excessive haemorrhage or inflammation, contact your veterinarian.

Where is the left testicle in a cryptorchid horse?

However, the left testicle is found in the abdomen in 75% of cryptorchid horses compared to 42% of right testicles. Bilateral cryptorchids, those with both undescended testicles and monorchid horses, those with only one developed testicle, are uncommon (1). In bilateral cryptorchids, most of the time both testes are abdominal.

What does it mean when a horse has a cryptorchid?

A cryptorchid is a horse that does not have two testes palpable in their entirity below the external inguinal rings. When one testicle is retained, the term used is unilateral (for one side) and if both are retained, the horse is termed a bilateral cryptorchid. Cryptorchidectomy is the surgical removal of a cryptorchid testicle.

What’s the difference between bilateral and unilateral cryptorchids?

This term describes the condition in which one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) testicles do not descend normally into the scrotum. Generally, unilateral cryptorchids are usually fertile, while bilateral cryptorchids are generally sterile.

What to do if your stallion has cryptorchidism?

If your stallion has cryptorchidism, your veterinarian may recommend castration to lower the risk of testicular tumors and to prevent the trait being passed on in the breeding process.

What does the word cryptorchidism mean in medical terms?

Cryptorchidism means, “hidden testes” (crypt = hidden, orchid = testes). This term describes the condition in which one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) testicles do not descend normally into the scrotum.