“When we met with NDSR, they revealed their suspicions that made a lot of sense to us. She had started Gel HRT about six weeks before Rosie showed symptoms.

“Since the change in my HRT routine we have seen a very slow change in Rosie. “She now doesn’t ‘attract’ males, her vulva is slowly shrinking and she complains less.”

HRT is widely used to relieve menopausal symptoms and applying it through a patch, gel or skin cream, rather than orally, is an increasingly popular way to administer it.

The Linnaeus-owned veterinary hospital has issued a warning to menopausal women who have pets after seeing an “alarming” rise in similar cases.

‘Some effects can be fatal’

Gerry Polton, NDSR hospital director, said: “According to the NHS, there has been a 35 per cent increase in the number of HRT items prescribed between 2020/21 and 2021/22.

“With the increasing use of HRT products, we suspect that secondary estrogen exposure in pets may be occurring more frequently nationally.

“Secondary exposure to TRH in animals typically occurs through exposure to gels and creams applied to their owners’ forearms, a recommended application site according to product data sheets.

“We urge dog owners who use HRT in this way to be aware of the possibility of secondary exposure to their pets.

“This is thought to occur most commonly through skin-to-skin contact, perhaps most likely through the less hairy areas of the pet, such as the belly.

“Most cases of secondary estrogen exposure can be treated simply by ensuring that there is no further contact with the estrogen source, in which case signs of exposure should disappear within a few months, although hair growth may take time.” up to six months.

“However, it is important to note that estrogen exposure can lead to more serious adverse effects, such as bone marrow suppression, which can be irreversible and ultimately fatal.”