Hormone replacement skin products affect users’ pets

[frecklesmom]

Replacement creams and lotions are quite common now but there is threat to others, including pets. Two Cavaliers are noted to have been affected.
First two paragraphs. The article is long but good.

The spreading popularity of topical hormone treatments in people — especially but not exclusively menopausal women — is having unintended medical consequences for the users’ pets.

Spayed dogs and young female puppies are showing up in veterinary exam rooms with markedly swollen vulvas as if they are in heat. Male dogs present with enlarged mammary glands and abnormally small penises. Animals of both genders experience fur loss.

http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=15950

[waldor]

What an interesting article. Thank you for posting that, as this is good information to know. It seems these topical hormone cream users aren't being well educated. They're supposed to put the cream on in various parts of the body each day. Otherwise the receptors become 'immune' to absorbing the hormone(s) when done in the same place all the time.

[Nicki]

Thank you so much for posting this - it's quite scary really, and worrying that the true cause was missed and animlas were undergoing unnecessary surgery

[Karlin]

Just saw that article and was about to post -- thanks for getting it up there. Everyone should read this -- you may not have such creams around the house but you may well know someone who does. It would be worth mentioning to vets on the next vet visit too!

[Cathy T]

Really interesting article!! How many times do we try to figure out what has changed in our pet's lives (food, treats, behaviors, water, new toys, etc) and never would have considered it being something we put on our bodies and our animals absorb through us??!!