When your male puppy is approximately three months old his testes should descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. In some instances, however, a genetic disorder prevents one or both of the testicles from dropping into position. This disorder is known as cryptorchidism, or undescended testicles.

Other than the absence of testes in the scrotum, dogs with undescended testicles usually show no other symptoms. However, if left untreated, the undescended testicle or testes are more prone to other conditions such as torsion, a painful twisting of the organ, and cancer.

Cryptorchidism is an inherited condition.

A physical examination will enable your vet to diagnose this condition.

Undescended testicles can be surgically repaired. The surgery involved to neuter a dog with undescended testicles is more complicated that a typical neutering, but it is highly recommended.

Since cryptorchidism is an inherited condition, afflicted dogs should not be bred even after surgery has corrected this defect.

No, you cannot contract cryptorchidism from your dog.