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- Sep 22, 2018
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My cat Smokey has been my only baby until Garfee came to my life. Smokey was with me since he was 3 months old and is pretty much a spoiled bratt as my family would say because of his cold and unaffectionate attitude towards them and other people.
When Smokey was almost 1 year old, my boyfriend gave me a smaller cat whom we named Garfee. Garfee came from the pet shop and was 11 months old then, on her record showed that she was sexed by the vet as female. I thought she will be a perfect companion for Smokey and so I was very happy to welcome her to our home and introduce her to Smokey.
Initially, Garfee was very anxious in her new environment and hid most of the time. I thought this was just normal considering that she just arrived, so I just let her be. Sooner Smokey and Garfee were able to adjust to each other and were even eating parallel to each other.
After some more months Smokey and Garfee began hissing at each other and Garfee being a smaller cat hid into spaces where Smokey can't reach her. There were times that I caught Smokey mounting on an angry Garfee and I thought maybe he was just trying to mate with her. These episodes become very messy as Garfee usually pees herself or when I'm too late to separate them, she poops on herself and scatters poops on the floor, wall and Smokey as she tries to fight him. However there are also many times when they are able to tolerate each other and sit side by side especially when they are chilling on the doorstep watching the outdoor.
My friends are really expecting Garfee to get pregnant but she has passed her teenage years and she didn't show signs of getting in heat. I was also curious with her behaviour and as I checked her genitalia, I was surprised because she has two big seemingly-like labia dangling like balls. I am still in denial and thought that maybe some female cats are born like that, or maybe it's because of her breed.
I was still bothered and tried to search for pictures of a hermaphrodite cat which I didn't find much online. Finally, I brought her to the vet to ask for an opinion. The vet physically examined her and confirmed that Garfee is both female and a male, a hermaphrodite in fact. My vet suggested to have Garfee castrated and explained that it maybe the reason for Smokey's agression towards her. I haven't really dealt with it because I wanted to know other options we can do for Garfee. Smokey on the other hand, got sick and we have to bring him to the vet several times and was later on hospitalized.
Now that Smokey's back home and recovering from his urinary problem, Garfee seemed to tease him and I'm worried that this is adding stress to Smokey. I am not very sure if it's the best for Garfee to be castrated. Garfee is a happy cat as he/she is. She/He is in fact more affectionate and friendly to her hoomans than Smokey and I don't want to bring her harm or pain if it's unneccesary.
Your suggestions to my previous query really helped a lot and I am hoping to know if you have ever encountered this case or maybe you can suggest what I can best do.
Thanks in advance.
PS.: I have attached photos for your opinion.
When Smokey was almost 1 year old, my boyfriend gave me a smaller cat whom we named Garfee. Garfee came from the pet shop and was 11 months old then, on her record showed that she was sexed by the vet as female. I thought she will be a perfect companion for Smokey and so I was very happy to welcome her to our home and introduce her to Smokey.
Initially, Garfee was very anxious in her new environment and hid most of the time. I thought this was just normal considering that she just arrived, so I just let her be. Sooner Smokey and Garfee were able to adjust to each other and were even eating parallel to each other.
After some more months Smokey and Garfee began hissing at each other and Garfee being a smaller cat hid into spaces where Smokey can't reach her. There were times that I caught Smokey mounting on an angry Garfee and I thought maybe he was just trying to mate with her. These episodes become very messy as Garfee usually pees herself or when I'm too late to separate them, she poops on herself and scatters poops on the floor, wall and Smokey as she tries to fight him. However there are also many times when they are able to tolerate each other and sit side by side especially when they are chilling on the doorstep watching the outdoor.
My friends are really expecting Garfee to get pregnant but she has passed her teenage years and she didn't show signs of getting in heat. I was also curious with her behaviour and as I checked her genitalia, I was surprised because she has two big seemingly-like labia dangling like balls. I am still in denial and thought that maybe some female cats are born like that, or maybe it's because of her breed.
I was still bothered and tried to search for pictures of a hermaphrodite cat which I didn't find much online. Finally, I brought her to the vet to ask for an opinion. The vet physically examined her and confirmed that Garfee is both female and a male, a hermaphrodite in fact. My vet suggested to have Garfee castrated and explained that it maybe the reason for Smokey's agression towards her. I haven't really dealt with it because I wanted to know other options we can do for Garfee. Smokey on the other hand, got sick and we have to bring him to the vet several times and was later on hospitalized.
Now that Smokey's back home and recovering from his urinary problem, Garfee seemed to tease him and I'm worried that this is adding stress to Smokey. I am not very sure if it's the best for Garfee to be castrated. Garfee is a happy cat as he/she is. She/He is in fact more affectionate and friendly to her hoomans than Smokey and I don't want to bring her harm or pain if it's unneccesary.
Your suggestions to my previous query really helped a lot and I am hoping to know if you have ever encountered this case or maybe you can suggest what I can best do.
Thanks in advance.
PS.: I have attached photos for your opinion.