A UK vet clinic is urging caution after an "alarming spike" in dogs being exposed to hormonal replacement therapy (HRT).
The BBC have reported that a vet in Surrey has diagnosed five dogs with exposure to HRT this year.
They said one dog owner was "mystified" when her dog started to develop symptoms after she'd replaced her HRT tablets with a gel. The woman's Jack Russel terrier started coming into season despite being spayed.
She said the dog started "swelling at her rear end" and male dogs "wouldn't leave her alone".
The dog also started losing hair, particularly around the teats.
Gerry Polton, hospital director at NDSR, told the BBC: "Secondary HRT exposure to animals typically occurs through exposure to gels and creams applied to their owners' forearms, a recommended site of application."
Last year, there was a 35% increase in National Health Service prescriptions for HRT in the UK.
The Animal Poison Line said it had seen an increase in dogs exposed to the medication.
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