My Dog Ate Estrogen Pills What Should I Do?

Many people use estrogen to treat different types of health issues. So, it’s possible to drop a pill, and then your dog finds it and snarf it up before you can grab it!

Can estrogen pills be toxic for your dog? Is it safe for your dog to ingest estrogen pills?

What are Estrogen Pills?

Estrogen pills are a type of hormone therapy that can be prescribed for many reasons. It works to improve overall health, bone health, works on the cardiovascular system, and other body functions. Estrogen usually comes in three different types including:

• Estradiol
• Estriol
• Estrone

Can estrogen pills make your dog sick?

Estrogen Pills & Dogs

Estrogen pills, in high levels, can be toxic to dogs. This includes the types of estrogen mention above; all are equally toxic to your fur baby.

While estrogen does have low toxicity in smaller doses, the higher the dose, the worse the toxicity.

Symptoms of Estrogen Toxicity in Dogs

When dogs, male or female, ingest estrogen pills, the result is poisoning. Your dog may show these symptoms if he’s ingested estrogen pills:

• In female dogs, abnormally swollen vulva
• Blood or discharge from the vulva
• Symptoms that are as if she were in heat
• Uterine infection in female dogs who have not been spayed
• In male dogs, a decrease in penis size & prostate infection
• In males and females: hair loss, swollen nipples
• Anaplastic anemia
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. Let the vet know what type of estrogen pills they were, along with the dosage. And be sure to let the vet know if any of the packaging has been eaten, too.

Treatment of Estrogen Poisoning in Dogs

In cases where the dog has ingested estrogen pills and this is a one-time issue, then just making sure he isn’t able to gain access to the pills in the future is all that’s necessary. The symptoms will pass, as long as the dog doesn’t eat more estrogen pills.

Your dog may vomit and have diarrhea but will otherwise not need additional treatment. Your dog has an excellent chance of a full recovery.

Just make sure to keep estrogen pills and all medications stored out of your dog’s reach. While estrogen pills are not as toxic as other substances, it’s just best to be safe and keep things in places your dog can’t gain access to. You and your dog will be happier for it!