When do puppies balls drop?

[Marne]

My 5 month old pup doesn't seem to have any testicles, the sack is there but appears to be empty.

As some of you know, we have had several health issues with him (he's came from a not so good rescue), he has extra claws so am starting to wonder if this could be another problem?

We have to get him castrated in a month or so (rescue rules), if his testicles don't drop then its going to be a bigger op (from what I have read on the net)?

Should they be clearly visable by now?

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

It was around 6 months for ours.

[Bowlersarm]

We were worried as well, but sure enough they did appear, around 6/7 months I think

[Marne]

Thank you, i'm not as worried now , what age are you ment to get them castrated?

[ParkerTheThief]

SmallDog had a retained testicle, we picked him up from the rescue the day after his op having been warned he may be feeling sorry for himself as it was a more difficult procedure.
He was absolutely fine, you wouldn't have known he had even had an operation. Mind you I do wonder if he has any feelings because last year he attempted a do it yourself castration on barbed wire and didn't seem to suffer.
Our previous VerySmallDog was such a wus I'm not used to a tough dog.

[tabulahrasa]

They literally appeared overnight at about 6 months - just one day he had them, lol.

[Marne]

One more question, when do their baby teeth come out? he seems to have 2 sets where his big teeth are coming through and baby ones are still in there.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I think when is a personal thing and different research seems to suggest different things. My vet said 6 months and behavourist at puppy class said 18 months.

I decided to have it done at 7 months as he started humping and wanting to cock his leg every 30 seconds. I had it done within a fortnight of this starting. He is 9 months now and he has stopped.

There are pros and cons you have to weigh up for yourself really.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

I think mine was about 4 months when his baby teeth started to drop out.

[PlasticLentilWeaver]

They normally descend by about 8-12 weeks old, but not usually of concern until 6 months.
And yes, if they don't descend, the surgery can be a lot more complex depending on where they are, how far down they have dropped, or if they are fully retained and require the abdomen to be opened. If they don't drop though, almost all vets will advise surgery as there are potential health risks associated with retained testicles. Don't equate complex with risk though, as it is 'routine surgery' in the vast majority of cases, just takes longer than a standard castration, so is correspondingly more expensive.

[Marne]

Update, I can see his testicles so they are there but they are located a inch or two away from the sack along his penis ( not far from the base ) hope that makes sense? Hey do seem to be slowly moving towards where they should be.

[PlasticLentilWeaver]

Along his penis? They should be coming from his groin. Lumps along the penis is more likely he's a little 'over-excited'!

[poachedeggs]

Can I make a radical suggestion? How about you ask your vet to check him!

It is incredibly rare for testes to descend later than ten weeks of age. What you describe sounds like accessory sex glands. Your vet will be able to examine him, definitively tell you whether his testes have descended and advise you on neutering. Many practices offer a free puppy check anyway.

[digerd]

Pups start teething at 3 months and usually are finished at 6 months.
Sometimes the odd baby tooth, especially the canines, don't all out and have to be pulled by the vet. But it is not common.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

As poachedeggs said particularly as if they are intra abdominal testes the surgery is likely to be quite a bit more expensive and you need to be for warned.

[Marne]

Thank you, when I first google I saw that the position they are in means he is sexually excited, but they seem to be there all the time ( though he is always quite hyper and excited ), I will try and check him when he is sleepy. The sack is clearly visible but looks empty ( if his balls were in there surely they would be very obvious ?). I will take him to the vets next week and get him checked out.