Intersex Golden Retriever Penny faces £1,000 surgery to stay healthy
Stratford-upon-Avon family says their Golden Retriever Penny was born intersex and requires surgery not covered by pet insurance
A Stratford-upon-Avon family says their eight-week-old Golden Retriever Penny, bought as a female therapy dog for two disabled children, is intersex and needs a £1,000 operation to remove an undescended testicle. Emma Priest, 36, said vets have not been able to determine Penny's sex with certainty since the puppy arrived last September.
Penny's anatomy includes one testicle and one functioning ovary, a partial uterus and a single fallopian tube, with external genitalia that appear female. The condition, described by veterinarians as intersex, means Penny has both male and female reproductive tissues. The undescended testicle is believed to be wrapped around her lymph nodes, raising the risk of cancer if left in place. Vets say they still cannot confirm Penny's sex with full certainty. The Priests have launched a GoFundMe to raise the roughly £1,000 needed for the procedure.
Since Penny joined the family, she has battled Giardia and Campylobacter, requiring IV fluids at about 12 weeks old and ongoing veterinary care. Emma said it is unclear whether the illnesses stem from breeding practices or from Penny's intersex condition, and the original breeder has not claimed responsibility.
To protect Penny's health, vets recommend removing the affected organs. The surgery, scheduled for October 16, is described as essential; if the testicle cannot be removed laparoscopically, veterinarians warned they may have to perform an open procedure, a prospect the family fears. The procedure is not covered by standard pet insurance because veterinarians classify Penny's condition as a birth defect, leaving Emma to pay thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Emma and Matt Priest say Penny is a cherished member of the family and they want her to have a long, healthy life. The case has drawn attention from veterinary professionals, who note that intersex conditions in dogs are rare and can complicate medical decisions. The Priests remain hopeful that Penny will recover fully after the surgery.