Taco Belle Times: "Tails" of a Baby Boomer Veterinarian: Creams for Menopause Treatment: A New Side Effect That May Place Your Pet At Risk?

It has been a “bucket list” week away from the clinic that I spent in London, England! Highlights included The Royal Mews (Queen’s carriage collection), the Chelsea Flower Show, Blenheim Palace, Wisely Gardens, Kew Gardens, and the Churchill War Room. Of course, being a food lover, in the food category, items such as fish & chips for lunch, a raisin brioche from a French bakery, and High Tea in The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason were highlights. I have to say surprises included pay toilets and toilet paper discarded in separate trash cans (not the toilet). The weather was perfect and visual memories were priceless.

The dogs came in all sizes and were everywhere! I enjoyed seeing the dog walkers on the street in the south Kensington neighborhood where I stayed.

The Labrador Retrievers that I saw appeared to be smaller, and the Spaniels larger than the American version.

The Chelsea Flower show was amazingly beautiful: the super bowl of plant displays.

Prince Harry had his own garden in the judging competition among 14 others for his favorite charity.

Although no seeds or plants could be shipped to the USA, I learned a lot of new color combinations, and hopefully I can research local suppliers. In addition to the garden displays, lots of products such as body lotions were available for purchase from suppliers such as the Royal Horticultural Society.

What does this have to do with pet care? For all topical creams, pet owners should ask is there any risk to pets that lick/ingest the product or consume the tube.

Human labeled lotions do not mention the risk of oral ingestion by pets. For example, Desitin Diaper Rash ointment is very toxic to pets since it contains zinc, and once ingested it leads to destruction of red blood cells and kidney failure. A new concern recently reported is pet exposure to human ESTROGEN-containing, topical creams (hormonal replacement therapy) to counter menopause side effects in women.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS SEEN IN PETS WITH EXPOSURE TO LICKING THE ARMS OF OWNERS ON HORMONAL REPLACEMENT TOPICAL CREAMS?

Most commonly is hair loss without itching on the thighs, flanks, and neck. The side effects are dose per pound dependent, and it seems to be more of a risk in small dogs sitting on the laps or in close proximity to owners prescribed estrogen containing topical medications.

HOW IS HAIR LOSS DUE TO EXPOSURE TO HUMAN HORMONAL TOPICAL CREAM DOCUMENTED?

Besides the history of exposure, blood levels of estrogen (estradiol) are performed on the pet. IN SOME CASES a skin biopsy is performed along with testing for other hormonal conditions such as a low thyroid or an adrenal (steroid secreting) tumor.

WHAT SUGGESTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO OWNERS ON TOPICAL HORMONAL THERAPY?

Apply the cream in an area the dog cannot lick and dispose of the application gloves safely so a dog cannot retrieve or lick the gloves. If gloves are not worn for application, a small amount of the hormone can remain in the owner’s hands and be transferred to pets while petting. In addition, some pets seem to show signs by simply cuddling (aerosol exposure) with owners over long periods of time, so be alert to that possibility. There is some risk of transfer on bedding or clothing as well. In summation, stop the exposure!

BESIDES THE HAIR LOSS, WHAT RISKS ARE TO THE PET?

Concerns include suppression of the bone marrow’s production of red blood cells (irreversible anemia), enlarged vulva, and signs of coming into heat (bloody vaginal discharge), and breast tumors that grow in the presence of estrogen.