36 ANIMAL CASTRATION 



For couvenience, cryptorchids may be classified as 

 inguinal and abdoiinnal. A varying condition to which 

 attention should he called for surgical purposes is 

 found in those cases where the epididymis has de- 

 scended into the inguinal canal and the inner abdom- 

 inal ring has become constricted about its ligament, 

 confining the testicle proper within the abdominal 

 cavity. This type of cryptorchid or ridgeling is likely 

 to confuse the operator if he has not previously en- 

 countered such conditions. 



Abdominal Cryptorchidy. — Cryptorchidy is more 

 prevalent in some localities than in others. In some 

 sections of the United States, about three or four per 

 cent of all horse colts are cryptorchids, and in other 

 localities a much larger percentage of animals are thus 

 affected. The large number of cases found in certain 

 localities may be ascribed to the fact that cryptorchid 

 stallions are used in the stud. So markedly hereditary 

 is this condition that in many cases 25 per cent or more 

 of the colts sired by such animals are similarly affected. 



Most operators have found that where only one tes- 

 ticle is retained, it is usually the left. However, in the 

 experience of a few others in some localities the per- 

 centage of animals having the right testicle retained 

 in the abdominal cavity is the greater. 



A cryptorchid horse is a very undesirable animal 

 from every standpoint; is usually vicious, unsatisfac- 

 tory and unsafe to handle in the presence of mares, 

 and in the majority of instances he cannot be turned 

 out with geldings, because of his vicious disposition. 

 The condition is diagnosed I'eadily in most cases by 

 their abnormally increased sexual desire as compared 

 to the gelding or even the normal stallion, even though 

 no other manifestation of the condition be apparent. 



