Just to inform you all a little on the 'hermaphrodite' discussion earlier. I own a three year old cocker, whom we bought as a bitch. It was her dam's first litter, she had 3 pups, one died. My 'bitch' went in to be spayed, they opened her up and, hey presto! were presented with retained testicles and a male internal structure.
My vet contacted an american genetics specialist, at that time working in Bristol. She explained that 'intersex' (as it is commonly called) encompasses a full range of genetic sex abnormalities, and depending on the dog's genetic make-up, other problems can occur, such as bladder and bowel dysfunction and structural abnormality.
My puppy was duly blood tested for her genetic code (XXY, as it turns out- the equivalent of Klinefelter's syndrome in humans, making her genetically male), scanned, X-rayed, kidney and liver function tests carried out. Eventually, happy that she was fortunately fine in all other respects, she was operated on and her retained testicles removed.
The breeder was informed. She spayed the bitch and her daughter took her as a pet. My insurance company were quite happy to pay for the treatment and tests as this condition COULD NOT have been picked up at birth. My dog is gorgeous, sweet-natured, obedient and lovely. We have had no further problems with her health.
