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As HRT (hormone replacement therapy) becomes more widely used among women, we are also seeing increasing numbers of dogs and even cats that are being adversely affected by these products.
What is HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and What is it Used For?
HRT stands for hormone replacement therapy and is used to treat hot flashes, mood swings, bone loss and other effects of menopause in women. HRT medications contain estrogen (a type of hormone) are available in many forms including gels, sprays, creams and transdermal patches. Women are usually advised to apply these products to the inner elbows or wrists or to the legs.
Dogs and Cats Affected by HRT Medications
Dogs and cats can be affected by ingesting the HRT medications, which often involves licking the area of skin where their owners have applied the medication. Alternatively, dogs and cats may also be exposed by chewing on or licking discarded patches. The number of pets being affected by these medications has been increasing over the past few years.
- Female dogs and cats affected by HRT medications appear to be in heat. In dogs, this appears as a swollen vulva and, possibly, swollen mammary glands.
- In cats, a species in which the vulva does not normally swell during the heat cycle under normal conditions, the symptoms are different. Cats that in heat vocalize (cry) frequently and loudly. They may also roll and exhibit other behavioral changes during the heat cycle. These are the symptoms that a cat exposed to HRT medications will exhibit.
- In both dogs and cats, female pets suffering exposure to HRT creams, sprays, gels and patches will also become attractive to male dogs and cats, respectively, and the females will often stand for mating.
- Pre-pubescent puppies may also affected if exposed to these products and will develop swollen vulvas in the same fashion as their mature counterparts, even though they may be too young to be in heat.
- In male dogs and cats, enlargement of mammary tissue may occur and affected males may have an abnormally small penis. If un-neutered, male pets may also experience atrophy of testicular tissue (shrinking of the testicles).
- Hair loss may also occur in both male and female dogs and cats exposed to HRT medications.
Long Term Effect of Exposure to HRT Medications in Dogs and Cats
At this point, we do not really know what types of long-term effects these products may have on our pets. In most cases, preventing exposure of the pet to the HRT product results in regression of the clinical symptoms, though it may take months for the signs to regress.
It is well-known that exposure to excess amounts of estrogen can cause bone marrow suppression leading to aplastic anemia, a serious blood disease seen in both dogs and cats. Estrogen exposure may also predispose pets to developing mammary tumors (breast cancer). There is concern that pets exposed to these products may suffer long-term complications such as these.
Preventing Exposure of Pets to HRT Medications
Fortunately, preventing exposure to these potentially dangerous products is relatively simple.
- Apply HRT products to areas of your body that your pet is not likely to contact.
- When applying HRT products, wear gloves. When finished, dispose of the gloves in a location inaccessible to your pet.
- When discarding used patches or similar items, be certain to place them out your pet’s reach.
A few common sense precautions can keep your pet out of danger and save you a great deal of heartache.
Do any of you have pets that have suffered from exposure to HRT medications? Do you have other ideas to help protect your pets from these products? Would you like to share your thoughts, opinions or experiences with us? Please scroll down to the comments section and leave a message. I’d love to hear what you think!
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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I have two chichuhua dogs. One, her name is Daisy (5yo) weight 15 lbs, the other’s name is Mimi (2yo) weight 6 lbs.
I was placed on Three phase HRT (Esrogen/Testrosterone creams and progestrone pill form). After being on this for 1 yr (started at age 57 or 58), I noticed that Daisy had a swollen vulva and was leaving blood spots around even though she has been spayed at 6mos. I was concerned about her condition, and referred her to the vet at San Juan Animal Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. The vet had her scheduled for exploratory surgery as they were not sure what the problem could be. The day I took her in for the surgery, I pointed out to the vet that Mimi also was showing the same symptoms, and I was concerned about the (costly) as well as the unnecessary surgery….too coincidental. Just to be on the safe side, they still (very costly) ran blood tests. Sure enough, they had elevated hormones. The vet said he was going to write a paper on this, but I never heard any more. I had been putting the cream on my inner elbow area and of course, was tranferring the medication to the dogs. I then switched to inside my inner thigh, where I started growning a patch of hair that should indicate a cure for baldness. Then the medication became too expensive (it was concidered experimental – even though I had been on these for years) and I could no longer afford use. My life while I was taking them was wonderful – no hot flashes, and a healthy sexual desire that I had not seen since my hysterectomy at age 39. Now, I am back to the way I was before, and well, sad and quite useless. Please use my information to further the cause for this medication, it should be made available as it is remarkable!!! Before taking this medication I was on premarin due to hysterectomy. Since I am no longer taking anything for hormone balance, my hot flashes (never experienced before) are so bad I can hardly stand it-it is worse than giving up on the sex, well, not quite as bad……but I am 60 and I don’t bother my poor 65 yo husband as much. His sex life has been dead for years, used to try to get him to take testosterone, but his doctor supposedly told him “he was alright” — I KNEW BETTER, but we are now status quo.
Anne, thanks for sharing your very personal story. I appreciate that you are willing to be so candid with other readers.
I think it’s important for people to realize that, while these medications may be very effective and even necessary for many people, they can also adversely affect our pets. Taking precautions to protect our pets while on HRT is advisable.
I just came back from the vet today after bringing my 6.7 pound female Maltese in with an enlarged vulva. My dog was spayed a year ago. I have been using HRT (estrogen) spray on my forearms. I was informed that my dog was exposed to my HRT by me picking her up and the dog rubbing against my arms. I was shocked and never thought of this happening.
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Diane. This is something that a fair number of pet owners are experiencing with their pets and it’s good that we can get the word out and warn people.
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