Cystic Rete Testis in a 3-Year-Old Gypsy Vanner Colt: A Case Report

A 3-year-old Gypsy Vanner colt was presented at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for castration. The left testicle of the horse was present within the scrotum, but neither the right testicle nor the epididymis was found during external palpation of the right inguinal ring. Removal of the retained testicle by a routine inguinal approach by traction on the gubernaculum and dilation of the internal inguinal ring was not possible. During a parainguinal approach to the abdomen, an enlarged cystic testicle was discovered. Histopathologic diagnosis was cystic rete testis. This case report stresses the importance of preoperative ultrasonographic assessment of cryptorchid testicles to decrease surgical time.