Cat Cryptorchidism: Symptoms and Solutions

1 Overview

At birth, testicles lie near the kidney in the abdomen. As the kitten grows, they descend to the scrotum, arriving by 2 months — not 6 months as many think. If only one testicle is felt, it’s unilateral cryptorchidism; if none, bilateral. Where did they go? Another way to describe by location.

Two main positions:

● Abdominal (abdominal cryptorchidism)

● At the abdomen-hind leg junction (inguinal cryptorchidism)

By position, the vet may find it on exam.

Diagnosis of Feline Cryptorchidism

Sometimes hard to diagnose a newly adopted kitten: how to know if no testicles because they’re lazy in the belly, or the cat was neutered? Intact or unneutered cats have a strange feature revealing the answer: once sexually mature around 9 months, their penis is covered with spines, called barbs. After neutering, barbs disappear.

So usually no testosterone test is needed. Bilateral cryptorchidism can be diagnosed by the presence of penile barbs after 9 months.

Ignoring cryptorchidism leads to two serious problems:

● First, testicular cancer. Low spread chance but possible; leaving intact is an unnecessary risk.

● Second, testicular torsion, less common. The retained testicle floats freely, not fixed in the scrotum, and can twist on itself — very painful, hard to diagnose.

How to Treat and Prevent Cryptorchidism

At any age, once diagnosed (unilateral or bilateral), correction is advised. The only treatment is neutering (remove both testicles). More complex than normal neutering since the vet must find the missing testicle in the abdomen or inguinal area.

As it’s hereditary, don’t breed unilateral (one-testicle) cats — they pass it on. Most bilateral cryptorchid cats are sterile, likely from high body temperature preventing sperm formation.