Would a hermaphroditic cat have health problems?

EmmaFay · 01-31-2013, 10:00 PM

Hi everyone!
I'm adopting a cat in April, and I've found the sweetest little kitten in a shelter nearby. The only thing is that apparently he's is a hermaphrodite.
He will be neutered before I get him (apparently he's a male-dominant hermaphrodite, so they won't be spaying him). I'd love to adopt him, but I'm a bit concerned....do hermaphroditic cats have shortened life spans, or any medical problems? I'm a college student, so I'd like to do my best to avoid costly vet bills.

Here's a picture of the little cutey:

He has such huge eyes, like a tiny ocelot!

EmmaFay · 01-31-2013, 10:13 PM

Maybe it would have been better to post this in Health, but I figured there might be breeders out there who have encountered this problem with their own kittens.

Carmel · 01-31-2013, 10:23 PM

There's one or two members here with hermaphrodite cats, I believe.

There aren't any additional health problems as far as I'm aware. He should probably have whatever female organs he has spayed to prevent cancer risks, though.

catloverami · 02-01-2013, 01:37 PM

I've seen a hermaphrodite cat, but never had one. Imho the kitten it should have surgery to remove both the ovaries as well as scrotum, otherwise it could come into heats, which could have further health problems, such as mammary cancer.
S/he is a sweetie, but I would think seriously if you need this extra financial burden.

Arianwen · 02-01-2013, 04:30 PM

Hi! Here I am! Although mine is female dominated!

She is (thankfully) in perfect health and is currently looking at me from the unit shelf she favours of an evening. I'm not good with numbers but she is about 12
and (thank God - and I'm not being blasphemous) she has never once had to see a vet with a health problem. At present, she is totally convinced that she is the mother of my four youngest cats!!!!

She was a semi feral who adopted us having been thrown out by a weird variety of hoarder who allowed no contact at all! As it turned out, she didn't need either op but that was on the advice of our vet. She has never come into season and shows no interest in sex.

EmmaFay · 02-10-2013, 08:30 PM

She sounds fantastic :] I'd always thought Hermaphrodites were rare to the point of non-existence, so I find it pretty incredible that other people of the forum have Hermaphroditic pets. I don't think I will end up getting the little guy, though...the cost spaying AND neutering a cat is a little bit daunting. I think Catloverami might be right on this one....there are plenty of other single-sex kitties out there.

01-31-2013, 10:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
EmmaFay Jr. Cat Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 90	Would a hermaphroditic cat have health problems? Hi everyone! I'm adopting a cat in April, and I've found the sweetest little kitten in a shelter nearby. The only thing is that apparently he's is a hermaphrodite. He will be neutered before I get him (apparently he's a male-dominant hermaphrodite, so they won't be spaying him). I'd love to adopt him, but I'm a bit concerned....do hermaphroditic cats have shortened life spans, or any medical problems? I'm a college student, so I'd like to do my best to avoid costly vet bills. Here's a picture of the little cutey: He has such huge eyes, like a tiny ocelot!

01-31-2013, 10:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Carmel Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 2,276	There's one or two members here with hermaphrodite cats, I believe. There aren't any additional health problems as far as I'm aware. He should probably have whatever female organs he has spayed to prevent cancer risks, though. __________________ Along with the dogs Tara and Coco.

02-01-2013, 01:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
catloverami Cat Addict Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cobourg, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,147	I've seen a hermaphrodite cat, but never had one. Imho the kitten it should have surgery to remove both the ovaries as well as scrotum, otherwise it could come into heats, which could have further health problems, such as mammary cancer. S/he is a sweetie, but I would think seriously if you need this extra financial burden. __________________ "There are no ordinary cats." "Time spent with a cat is never wasted." ~ Colette "A loving cat can mend a wounded heart." ~ Unknown Author

02-01-2013, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Arianwen Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: South Wales, UK Posts: 1,598	Hi! Here I am! Although mine is female dominated! She is (thankfully) in perfect health and is currently looking at me from the unit shelf she favours of an evening. I'm not good with numbers but she is about 12 and (thank God - and I'm not being blasphemous) she has never once had to see a vet with a health problem. At present, she is totally convinced that she is the mother of my four youngest cats!!!! She was a semi feral who adopted us having been thrown out by a weird variety of hoarder who allowed no contact at all! As it turned out, she didn't need either op but that was on the advice of our vet. She has never come into season and shows no interest in sex. Last edited by Arianwen; 02-01-2013 at 04:35 PM.

02-10-2013, 08:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
EmmaFay Jr. Cat Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 90	She sounds fantastic :] I'd always thought Hermaphrodites were rare to the point of non-existence, so I find it pretty incredible that other people of the forum have Hermaphroditic pets. I don't think I will end up getting the little guy, though...the cost spaying AND neutering a cat is a little bit daunting. I think Catloverami might be right on this one....there are plenty of other single-sex kitties out there. Last edited by marie73; 02-10-2013 at 08:35 PM.

01-31-2013, 10:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
EmmaFay Jr. Cat Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 90	Maybe it would have been better to post this in Health, but I figured there might be breeders out there who have encountered this problem with their own kittens.

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