The literature reports higher than normal incidence of cryptorchidism in Pomeranians, Toy Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers. Diagnosis of cryptorchidism is straightforward and based on physical examination findings. A subcutaneous testicle can usually be palpated, the same is not true for one retained within the abdomen. Interestingly enough, the right testicle is twice as likely to be retained as the left. OK, so the doc has just told you that your puppy is cryptorchid.
Cryptorchidism greatly increases the dog's risk of testicular cancer and torsion.
Testicular torsion is a twisting of the testicle's blood supply, resulting in tremendous pain and swelling. We recently diagnosed a testicular torsion in a dog with a subcutaneous testicle. Literally overnight the testicle had swollen to about the size of a small cantaloupe. Retained testicles are 10 times more likely to become cancerous than normal testicles. Sertoli cell tumors and seminomas are tumors commonly seen in cryptorchid dogs.