‘Keep out of reach of pets’ warning after puppy’s hormone cream exposure

A West Yorkshire animal hospital found a 12-week-old puppy was in season after absorbing hormonal cream meant for humans.

Dog owners are being alerted to the potential risks of the products after the dachshund, named Lilly, was referred to Paragon Veterinary Referrals in Wakefield.

Although Lilly made a full recovery, vets said prolonged contact with such creams can lead to potentially life-threatening bone marrow toxicity.

Further investigations

Small animal internal medicine clinician Lara Baptista said: “Lilly was presented to Paragon for further investigations of a marked swelling of the perineum and the vulva.

“Vaginal cytology revealed Lilly was in season, which is very unusual for such a young puppy.

“It was disclosed that one of the members of the household where Lilly lives was using a hormonal cream containing oestrogen (HRT) on their forearms and Lilly had been in contact with the area, causing her to also absorb the cream and, therefore, [show] signs of the season.

“Once contact with the cream is stopped, the clinical signs should resolve, such as is the case with Lilly.”