Small Animal Abdominal and Metabolic Disorders Q&A 10

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An eight-month-old, female Cocker Spaniel is presented because of a progressive enlargement of the clitoris which now protrudes from the vulval orifice. Examination shows that the vulva is small and somewhat cranially positioned. Palpation of the clitoris demonstrates that it has a central bone.

Question	Answer		Article
What is the likely diagnosis?	This bitch is an intersex. The time of onset of the clinical signs corresponds with the onset of puberty and it is likely that there is androgen production by gonadal testicular tissue. Androgens (predominantly testosterone) cause clitoral enlargement and development of an os clitoris. Frequently there is excessive licking of the vulva due to lowgrade vestibulitis.		[[|Link to Article]]
What is the aetiology of this condition?	Intersex animals may be classified according to the following three abnormalities: Abnormalities of chromosomal sex – sex chromosome aneuploids, chimeras or mosaics. These phenotypic females with underdeveloped genitalia develop changes in the clitoris at puberty. The recognition of abnormalities of chromosomal sex requires the construction of a karyotype. Abnormalities of gonadal sex – chromosomal and gonadal sex do not agree. These are the so-called sex-reversed animals where there is translocation of the Tdy antigen onto the X chromosome or an autosome. Of the three categories of this condition, only one presents with an externally female phenotypic reproductive tract. They are true hermaphrodites with ovotestes, oviducts and external female genitalia. Abnormalities of phenotypic sex – females which have ovaries and XX chromosomes (female pseudohermaphrodites). These are masculinized due to exposure to exogenous or endogenous androgens in utero.		[[|Link to Article]]
What are the treatment options?	The majority of intersex animals are infertile and surgical neutering is the preferred method of treatment. Following removal of the gonads, the os clitoris may become smaller as the animal grows and the clinical signs resolve. Clitoridectomy is mostly unnecessary but after puberty the clitoris may be large and require surgical removal.		[[|Link to Article]]