I just found out that my cat is a hermaphrodite?

Question

seriously! I took him to the vet because he had a lump in his lower abdomen, and after many tests, including a sonogram, the vet found cysts on an ovary, the vet said there was nothing to worry about, his DNA test came back male, and I'm Really confused, has anyone ever heard of this?

Answer 1

Hi there...it does happen, but it's quite rare to see hermaphroditism. Here's a web article on this: http://www.messybeast.com/freak-misc.htm

Another article: http://www.messybeast.com/mosaicism2.htm#hermaphrodite

Answer 2

Yes, this does happen while fetus is forming. Have seen this in dogs but it is rare. I assume your vet discussed fixing the cat so there is no confusion and keep a healthy male cat. Remove the female organs, especially with a cyst on the ovary.

Not sure why he said it is nothing to worry about?? Once the real sex is determined and depending on what organs are needed we have the situation taken care of for the future health of the animal.
I assume you had reason to only think of it as a male and DNA supports that so please proceed to have the other removed.

Answer 3

My dad had a cat named Jasmine with no male stuff, when he took her in to get fixed, they found her/his undescended testes instead of ovaries (we wondered why she/he never went into heat) now his name is Jazz Man
Jazz had surgery to remove the testes, his personality totally changed! He got really mean and vicious. He finally settled down after 12 years, but he never really got friendy again
If you love your kittie's personality, and the vet said it was nothing to worry about, just keep loving your baby boy

spay and neuter your pets!!

Answer 4

I'm in a human sexuality class (college level) right now... it's more common than most people think in PEOPLE... I'm sure it's not unheard of in cats either.