Message Number: SG413 | New FHL Archives Search
From: daneedv@aol.com
Date: 2002-07-21 16:27:51 UTC
Subject: RE: retained testicle?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <15946137.1027268871217.JavaMail.root@scandium>

Author wrote:
>So I assumed he was a "retired" breeder and maybe retired
> breeders were just neutered but not descented. I'm guesstimating his age
> to be 1-2 years old.
> He does not have testicles "outside his body" so I assumed he was
> neutered. I've seen whole males; you can tell they're whole. So is it
> possible Bubba is still whole? Penis-wise, he is just like my neutered
> ferrets. I mean, if he is whole, wouldn't there be more of a penis?
>

Most whole males' testicles will remain outside their body when they are not in rut, and will just decrease in size. However, I did have one male whose testicles disappeared completely when he went out of rut.
Also, most retired breeders will be neutered but not descented. However, having the anal sacs will not cuase them to be greasy and have a body odor - that is a sign of male hormones.
The penis on a whole male does not look any different from the penis of a neuteres male, though.
Danee