Clitoridectomy and urethrostomy in a pseudohermaphrodite dog

ABSTRACT

Background: Hermaphroditism is a rare congenital disease that causes ambiguous sexual features. True hermaphroditeshave testicular and ovarian tissue, whereas pseudohermaphrodites have only one type of gonadal tissue and genitalia, butsecondary characteristics of the opposite sex. Pseudohermaphrodites are classified as male or female according to theirgonads. Treatment of pseudohermaphroditism consists of surgical removal of the gonads including reconstruction of abnormal genitalia, especially if the urethra is involved. Therefore, the objective of this report is to describe a case of a malepseudohermaphrodite in a dog treated with clitoridectomy with urethrostomy.Case A 7-month-old, mixed-breed dog was referred due to the presence of a flaccid structure similar to a small penis,containing an os clitoris, bulbourethral glands, and urethra protruding from the vulva. Physical examination, completeblood count and serum biochemistry were within normal ranges. Hormonal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone were 56.39 pg/mL, 127.9 ng/mL, and 0.892 ng/mL, respectively. The abdominal ultrasound and posteriorly theexploratory celiotomy found a normal size prostate and two round organs resembling testicles connected to a uterus-liketubular structure. The patient underwent surgical abdominal exploration that confirmed the ultrasonographic findings andled to gonadohysterectomy. Also, clitoridectomy and urethrostomy were performed to excise the protruded structure andmaintain normal urethral patency. The histopathological examination of the clitoris and penis confirmed it was a malegenital organ, however, the abdominal structures were compatible with the testicles, epididymis, uterus, and even a broadligament. These organs are normally found in cases of male pseudohermaphroditism. The...