Member Since: 11/4/2010
Posts: 34,287
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Hermaphrodite kitten seeks new home
Quote:
A kitten handed in to a welfare charity has caused a stir - after vets discovered it is a hermaphrodite.
Nine-week-old Bellini was part of a litter taken in by a cats protection home in St Helens, Merseyside, in February, when just a few days old.
It was initially thought Bellini was male but, during the neutering process, vets discovered female as well as male genitalia.
Adoption centre manager Sonia Scowcroft said staff did not know whether to refer to Bellini as a boy or girl.
"I was pretty stunned, it's so unusual," Ms Scowcroft said.
"I have seen over 3,000 cats during my time at Cats Protection and only seen one other hermaphrodite cat. I certainly never thought I'd see two.
"We have got used to calling Bellini a boy, but really it is up to his new owner to decide what they think is best. Either way, he is an absolute cutie pie and will make a really lovely pet."
Although being hermaphrodite should not cause any health issues for Bellini, he, or she, does have a slight heart murmur.
This means a new owner will need to ensure the cat has regular veterinary checks.
Having formed a close bond with litter-mate sister, Daiquiri, the pair hope to be homed to a new owner together.
Sarah Elliott, the home's central veterinary officer, said: "Hermaphrodite - or intersex - cats do not frequently occur so Bellini is one of the more unusual cats to be found.
"This may arise through mosaicism - which is when a kitten's cells divide unusually while is a growing embryo.
"Such mosaicism may result in a cat with either male or female reproductive organs and genitalia, or a pair of mixed reproductive organs and genitalia.
"Bellini appears to be in the last group with a mixture of both." (Read the full article)
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A true reverse warholian experience.
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