Natural Hormone Therapy . Hormones naturally decline as people age… but what about hormones in our pets? In general, and as televised by Oprah herself, hormones are needed by the body and brain to grow, sustain life and function normally. Specifically, the female hormones of importance are estrogen and progesterone and in males testosterone dominates. Have you ever wondered why so many pets are dying of cancer, suffering from obesity related issues, including arthritis and/or diagnosed with diabetes? As an Anti-Aging Pet Health Diplomat and a practicing holistic veterinarian for many years, I have noticed this trend and tried to figure out the underlying causes. Certainly one must consider external factors affecting our pet’s health including food, water and environmental pollution. But the truth is that these factors, for the most part, although less than ideal, have remained relatively constant.
One thing that has changed over the last several years is the age at which veterinarians recommend neutering and spaying pets. Now-a-days pets are neutered as young as 6 weeks of age, which is before their natural hormones are even released. Did you ever wonder why your older female dog leaks urine in her sleep or your best friend suddenly gets lost in your backyard? Why are labs being afflicted with debilitating arthritis at only 6 months of age? Why is cancer the new leading cause of death in pets?
Why did Pfizer invest over $100 million dollars to put a pet label on a bottle of insulin that’s been around for over a hundred years? Does neutering pets at such young ages really promote health and wellness? According to a published veterinary study, the incidence of certain types of common pet cancer, including a type of malignant bone cancer called Osteosarcoma actually increases in dogs and cats that have been spayed and neutered.
Certainly pet overpopulation is a major concern and the need to curb the population of unwanted, stray pets is a fact. Neutering does help certain issues. It reduces unwanted pet pregnancy, decreases hormonally related behavioral issues and eliminates the inconvenience of female dogs coming into heat twice a year. A disease called Pyometra which can affect the uterus of older intact female dogs is eliminated as are most of the disorders involving the reproductive tract in male and female pets.
Certainly, this veterinarian is well aware of the bottom line behind spaying and neutering dogs and cats. What many may not realize is that, in addition to being necessary for reproduction, hormones are also play an integral role in the structure and function of your pet’s brain, heart, bones and internal organs, including the liver and kidneys. Hormones also affect our pet’s behavior and mental attitude. Hormones are vital for optimal health and wellness in addition to longevity and life! That’s a fact and it’s as true for you as it is for your pet.
Yes this includes both arthritis and diabetes in senior and adult pets.
Thank you
Dr Carol
Very interesting topic. I had been looking into endocrinology as it relates to the frequency / incidence of cancer in several dog populations.
Based on the evidence I’ve seen thus far, we may be neutering / spaying dogs much too quickly. I’m glad I’m not the only one that is concerned about this.
Hello
I agree and as I continue my research into this area, feel that this has become a greatly overlooked factor with respect to pets developing cancer,
and several other degenerative disorders affecting them at a much younger age than one would normally expect.
Thank you for your comments
Dr Carol
Thank you for another great post.
I look forward to many more entries with high quality info.
I’m a marketer myself and your information always seems to get my business brain going!!
My pit/lab mix got neutered at 6 months old and i am very worried about him not having hormones after reading your blog and many others. I live in Washington and i called about 10 local vets and they all do not do this hormone therapy. Are you able to get me hormone therapy or do you know how I can get this treatment for my dog?
My dog is having horrible anxiety, mostly separation. He is fixed, but his issue is getting worse with age. I’m starting to think this could be a possible cause. Do you think this is possible? Or do you know of any studies that are focusing on this topic?
Hi Serena,
Yes anxiety can worsen with age in dogs. It may be a good idea to work with a local dog trainer, a great nation wide company is Sit Means Sit Dog Training. We have some effective natural products, if you give us a call we could discuss and review those products with you. They are easy to give, and are free from adverse side effects. They will help to calm his anxiety, nerves, and help to ease his separation from you. There is not a connection between separation anxiety and neutering to the best of my knowledge. Patience, love and consistency along with behavioral modification is needed. Be sure not to make a fuss when leaving the home.
Give me a call to discuss! 1-866-372-2765
Good Luck,
Dr. Carol
My 3yrs old Maltese had her 2nd litter last August 2015, I decided to have her spayed last Nov. cuz they are too quick for me. I took my eyes away for no more than 30 sec. they were lock up. Now 4 mos. later ( after her spaying) she gained over 1 lb. and that’s a lot for a dog. Before she got pregnant the 1st time she weights 7.4 lbs and after the 2 litter she was 9.5 lbs and now 10.7 lbs. plus she lost her hearing end of Jan. She is on diet food but it seems like she is still gaining weights. Is there any home remedies for hormone replacement for dog? She have small bones and I’m afraid her weights are too much for her legs. Please help.
Betty,
A consult with Dr.Carol would be the best option for you. Give me a call today and I could set that up for you. 440 247 5901
We are having problems with our dog leaking urine when she lays down and sleeps. We have been to the vet and they have said that it is due to being spayed. They gave us a script for this and we haven’t been able to continue to pay for it because we can’t afford it is there any other ways of helping her with this issue that will be cheaper for us? If so could you help us out with educating us on what to do for her. Thank you.
Proin is usually the most cost effective med to correct this.
Hi Julie,
Please feel free to call our veterinary office directly.
Toll Free Phone 866 372 2765
Thank you, Dr Carol
I have a question about ovarian remnant syndrome. My vet is questioning this in my 2-yo calico. If this is the case, is there a natural hormone replacement that I could give her? I know some women use wild yam or vitamin E, so I just wonder if either of these or something else would be appropriate for this. Thank you, Evelyn.
With ovarian remnant syndrome the problem is some ovarian tissue gets left in the cat so she acts “hormonal”
because she still has estrogen. Blood tests usually validate this. The solution is to eliminate the tissue.
Giving estrogen supplements only makes it worse.
Thank you
Dr Carol
Pat
I have 2 Morkies both were desexed about 6 months of age, now they are 10 and 11 years
I have discussed this with my vet here in Houston, Texas and they are against hormone
therapy . The talked about many disorders can occur with hormone therapy. I have purchased
The Gift For Life for canines. I have not started the treatment as of this day!
I am very confused about this not sure what to do!
I have read all of the reviews sounds very promising!
Please help me with this?
Hi Pat
Sorry for the long delay in response but having just found your note we wanted to ask if you’ve used
the Gift of life product? If so, do you have any thoughts on it?
Most oncologists do not promote the use of hormones, particularly estrogen in the human population, in individuals who have been diagnosed or treated for cancers. I wonder if a female dog who has been diagnosed and treated for bone cancer would be given the same advice to avoid estrogens. I have been giving hormones to my dog pack and have recently had to stop due to a disagreement with my wife, who had breast cancer, because of advice given to her by oncologists. Please comment.
Hi there I was reading your comment about female dogs being desexed at an early age, which is what has happened to my dog tia. They told me to desex her before six months of age and now she is nearly 8 years of age and her leaking is becoming a real problem. Is there any natural hormone replacement I can give her, either in her food or otherwise to help with the problem thanks heaps Kaylene Thompson.
Your dog needs estrogen. Estriole is the hormone available to correct her urine leakage
Please talk to your vet as this is a prescription.
Proin is another med often used to correct leakage just for your information.
Thank you
Dr Carol
My cat, Storm, is just that: a category 5 bundle of energy tearing through our house every day. We love it and we love her! She is non-stop excitement and fun. She hasn’t been spayed yet, and I hesitate to do this to her because it will likely reduce this constant stream of energy and will change her personality. However, she has begun peeing around the house when she’s in heat almost every month. What kind of hormone replacement can I provide her, so she will remain as active post-surgery as she is pre-surgery? Thank you!
True bio-identical hormone replacement can be tricky in pets and
requires a proper doctor-patient relationship.
Cats come into heat and stay in heat for several months unless they become pregnant or are spayed.
In most cases spaying makes sense, unless breeding is being planned.
Dr Carol offers consults but would not be able to offer hormone replacement without seeing your pet.
Thank you