‘A unicorn’: Rare male tortoiseshell cat found in Oregon is a hermaphrodite
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A rare male tortoiseshell cat brought to the Humane Society of Central Oregon in April was determined to be a hermaphrodite, the organization announced on June 6.
The unique kitten weighed only a pound when it was brought to the shelter. Humane Society of Central Oregon’s Medical Director Crystal Bloodworth said that vets discovered that Cinder possessed male and female characteristics while they were attempting to spay the cat.
“Tortoiseshell-colored cats, recognized for their striking swirls of black and shades of orange, are typically female,” Bloodworth said. “To call it a male is tough, but with the binary nature of animals and people’s perception of animals, we chose male.”
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The shelter’s decision was based on the animal’s male gonads, which were removed during the operation. The Humane Society of Central Oregon suspects that the kitten is “very likely” a three-sex-chromosome cat (XXY). The kitten’s two X chromosomes allowed for its tortoiseshell coloring and the Y chromosome allowed for its testicles, the shelter said. This outcome is one of many variations of hermaphroditism or feline disorder of sexual development.
Cinder the intersex cat. (Humane Society of Central Oregon)
“In the kitten, it did not have a uterus or ovaries,” Bloodworth said. “[It] did have testicles and has what looks like a vulva.”
Bloodworth added that if Cinder was examined as an adult, vets would consider him female because his external genitalia look female. However, Cinder does not have a uterus or ovaries. HSCO Clinic Manager Bailey Shelton compared Cinder to a unicorn.
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“It was like spotting a unicorn,” Shelton said. “Even though I’ve only been in the veterinary field for nine years, this very well could be a once-in-a-career moment. They always talked about how rare male tortoiseshells are back in school, but seeing one in person is something else. You just never know what amazing surprises await you at the humane society.”
Cinder’s foster family said that he is a typical, loving, adventuresome and playful kitten. The kitten has several families interested in adopting him and a future owner will be chosen soon.
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