Liquid Milk Thistle

[JennaPenny]

Heard someone mention it; To the people who buy it where do they get it? Vet is sayingshe doesn't rx it. I know you can get milk thistle at pretty much any vitamin store, I just haven't seen the liquid. What would the dose be for for just under to 3 pounds- as she hovers there. It's a team effort and half my team is gone for the week. Wanted to put it away for these situations.

[KairaPup]

https://www.amazon.com/Animals-Apawt.../dp/B0002TIOQG

This is the one I have. Dosing is on the bottle.

I am assuming you know this, but milk thistle needs to be given off and on or it can actually do more harm than good. I do a couple weeks on and a couple weeks off.

[Yorkiemom1]

I use NHVnaturalpetproducts.com........NHV Milk Thistle 100cc bottle.....1 drop for every 2 lbs.......This is specifically for dogs, do not use human Milk Thistle for your dog. The animal pharmacy that you get this from can tell you how to give it....you do give it for a specific period of time then stop for a short period....but I have been using this for many, many years...

[fauna]

Hello you can choose the right one for your puppy on Amazon or in this site.

[tjdmom]

I'm just curious... what reason do you all give it for? And do you find that it's effective? I guess you must or you wouldn't give it....

[jkudywoods]

I agree with fauna.

[KairaPup]

It's used to protect the kidneys from toxins and damage. If used correctly, it can be very helpful, however, if used wrong, it will do damage itself.

I use it because my chihuahua takes Phenobarbitol- very toxic to the body even in small doses, and usually a lifelong medication. It can cause damage over time. I am trying to protect his tiny organs from the medicine that keeps him going. It's a sad sort of dilemma.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by KairaPup

It's used to protect the kidneys from toxins and damage. If used correctly, it can be very helpful, however, if used wrong, it will do damage itself.

I use it because my chihuahua takes Phenobarbitol- very toxic to the body even in small doses, and usually a lifelong medication. It can cause damage over time. I am trying to protect his tiny organs from the medicine that keeps him going. It's a sad sort of dilemma.

I think you mean liver don't you? By the way, do you have any links about why you should stop and start this, I'm not familiar with the research on that.

[Yorkiemom1]

MILK THISTLE FOR DOGS
Support for liver disease, liver and kidney detox, kidney support and cancer support in dogs.

Detoxifies the liver and kidneys by removing toxins
Improves liver and kidney function
Supports regeneration of the liver
Support kidneys that are damaged by diabetes
Antioxidant properties may benefit as a anti cancer support
Glycerin based and safe for long-term use
SUPPLEMENTS USED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

NHV NATURAL PET PRODUCTS
WE LOVE YOUR PETS NATURALLYUses in canines

Silymarin, which is itself a combination of several other active compounds, has been extensively studied around the world, and has been shown to be safe and effective in treating a variety of liver diseases and other conditions. It specifically protects the liver against toxins (including some drugs and heavy metals), activates protein synthesis, and stimulates growth of new liver cells to replace those that are dead or damaged. Milk thistle also has strong antioxidant (destroys oxygen free radicals) and anti-inflammatory actions.

Silymarin reaches high levels in the bile and liver (it also reaches significant levels in the lungs, pancreas, prostate, and skin). It can be used in the treatment of hepatic lipidosis, chronic hepatitis, cholangitis (inflammation of the bile ducts), and pericholangitis (inflammation of the tissue around the bile ducts). It may be useful in preventing or treating gallstones by thinning the bile. Many dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have concurrent inflammation of the liver/bile system and the pancreas. This suite of symptoms is called “triaditis.” Because milk thistle’s beneficial actions concentrate on the liver and bile systems, it may also be helpful in dogs with IBD.

Milk thistle should be considered as an aid to healing after drug therapy, vaccinations, and infections such as canine parvovirus, as well as an potential adjunct treatment for cancer. Researchers at Case Western University concluded from their work that “silymarin possesses exceptionally high protective effects against tumor promotion . . . ” One human study even suggests a role for milk thistle in diabetes mellitus through its normalizing effects on red blood cells. It may also help prevent diabetic neuropathy, a common complication of the disease that causes degeneration of the nerves controlling the hind limbs, which consequently produces weakness and an abnormal gait.
Milk thistle generally supports the immune system through its powerful antioxidant, free-radical scavenging action, its ability to preserve the supply of another important antioxidant, glutathione, as well as direct effects on immune cells. Glutathione, which is stored primarily in the liver, naturally declines over time, and depletion of this protein appears to accelerate the aging process.

While it’s not exactly the fountain of youth, milk thistle clearly has wide-ranging positive effects throughout the body. However, before you add this potent herb to your dog’s daily regimen “just in case” it might do some good, it’s important to consider that some herbalists believe milk thistle is best reserved as a treatment for existing disease, rather than being used by itself in a healthy dog.
Dosage and administration

The standard dosage of milk thistle extract is based on a silymarin content of around 80 percent; most supplements contain anywhere from 50-500 milligrams (175 mg is typical). As with many supplements, it’s probably better to buy a milk thistle derivative rather than a silymarin-only or other fractional supplement, since there may be other compounds found in the whole herb that significantly enhance the effects of what science has decided is the main player.

Because of its excellent safety record and lack of adverse drug interactions, when I’m treating a very sick dog with advanced liver disease, I do not hesitate to use up to 200 mg per 10 pounds of body weight of milk thistle extract daily. For most canine purposes, however, one-third to one-half of that dose is more than adequate. (Dogs with liver disease typically will not eat, but it’s a simple matter to open up a capsule, mix the appropriate amount of powdered herb with a little blenderized food or baby food, and feed it to the dog in a syringe.) Too high a dose can cause an upset tummy, gas, or mild diarrhea; these are easily resolved by giving less.
Human research studies have shown that it is more effective to administer this herb in three or four small portions over the day than in one large daily dose. When it is not possible to split the daily dose and administer the fractional portions three or four times a day, give it at least twice a day.

[Yorkiemom1]

ADDITIONAL INFO ON MILK THISTLE:
Fortunately, research suggests that milk thistle extract not only prevents damage to the liver, but also helps repair it.First, milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect us from chemicals in our bodies called free radicals. Exposure to environmental toxins can increase free radicals in the body, which can do a lot of damage to our cells. This is called oxidation and can eventually lead to cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. Milk thistle protects the liver against harmful oxidation.

Secondly, while we don’t necessarily think of medications as “toxins,” many over the counter drugs and prescription medications can hurt the liver if taken in large enough doses or for long periods of time. Researchers have found that milk thistle can actually prevent or reduce medication induced liver damage. If you have been giving your pet medication and are concerned about the aftermath of chemicals residing in the body, milk thistle will help flush those out.

Thirdly, if the liver has been weakened due to a bevy of reasons, it is unable to break down toxins. In order to combat allergens, the body produces histamine. The liver plays a role in this process; it removes the histamine from the body. If the liver is weakened and congested with toxins, the liver struggles and histamine builds up in the body, leading to more allergic reactions.

Additional Uses
Milk thistle not only helps treat and prevent liver disease. Below is a list of treatment claims linked to the plant:

Kidney disease
If there has been kidney damage to your pet because of an infection milk thistle has been show to greatly decrease the amount of time it takes your pet to heal.

Pancreatitis
Although rare in cats, pancreatitis is very common in dogs. Milk thistle can be given to your dog and cat to help alleviate the symptoms.

Cancer
Milk thistle has been shown to decrease the effects of cancer in a pet’s body. While there haven’t been many studies done, there have been enough that it has shown improvement and helps protect against the potential for cancer in your pet.

Diabetes
Pets suffering from diabetes that are given milk thistle at least once per week have been shown to not have to have nearly the amount of insulin that they would have had to take otherwise.

Clearly, milk thistle has an array of positive effects throughout the body.

However, milk thistle should not be used as a preventative, or a “just in case”; rather, it should be used as a means of cleansing the liver after exposure to toxins (i.e. drugs, vaccines, chemicals, etc.) or as a treatment to liver damage. Milk thistle stimulates the growth of new liver cells in order to replace those that are dead or dying, and helps protect against toxins which could cause further damage.

Remember, medicinal herbs shouldn’t be used for extended periods of time. Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff explain in their book entitled Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance your Pet’s Life: “ Milk thistle is a medicine that is best reserved for situations in which the liver is already under abnormal stress.” Most holistic doctors feel that milk thistle should be administered for 3-6 weeks with a 1-3 week break.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

ADDITIONAL INFO ON MILK THISTLE:
Fortunately, research suggests that milk thistle extract not only prevents damage to the liver, but also helps repair it.First, milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect us from chemicals in our bodies called free radicals. Exposure to environmental toxins can increase free radicals in the body, which can do a lot of damage to our cells. This is called oxidation and can eventually lead to cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. Milk thistle protects the liver against harmful oxidation.

Secondly, while we don’t necessarily think of medications as “toxins,” many over the counter drugs and prescription medications can hurt the liver if taken in large enough doses or for long periods of time. Researchers have found that milk thistle can actually prevent or reduce medication induced liver damage. If you have been giving your pet medication and are concerned about the aftermath of chemicals residing in the body, milk thistle will help flush those out.

Thirdly, if the liver has been weakened due to a bevy of reasons, it is unable to break down toxins. In order to combat allergens, the body produces histamine. The liver plays a role in this process; it removes the histamine from the body. If the liver is weakened and congested with toxins, the liver struggles and histamine builds up in the body, leading to more allergic reactions.

Additional Uses
Milk thistle not only helps treat and prevent liver disease. Below is a list of treatment claims linked to the plant:

Kidney disease
If there has been kidney damage to your pet because of an infection milk thistle has been show to greatly decrease the amount of time it takes your pet to heal.

Pancreatitis
Although rare in cats, pancreatitis is very common in dogs. Milk thistle can be given to your dog and cat to help alleviate the symptoms.

Cancer
Milk thistle has been shown to decrease the effects of cancer in a pet’s body. While there haven’t been many studies done, there have been enough that it has shown improvement and helps protect against the potential for cancer in your pet.

Diabetes
Pets suffering from diabetes that are given milk thistle at least once per week have been shown to not have to have nearly the amount of insulin that they would have had to take otherwise.

Clearly, milk thistle has an array of positive effects throughout the body.

However, milk thistle should not be used as a preventative, or a “just in case”; rather, it should be used as a means of cleansing the liver after exposure to toxins (i.e. drugs, vaccines, chemicals, etc.) or as a treatment to liver damage. Milk thistle stimulates the growth of new liver cells in order to replace those that are dead or dying, and helps protect against toxins which could cause further damage.

Remember, medicinal herbs shouldn’t be used for extended periods of time. Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff explain in their book entitled Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance your Pet’s Life: “ Milk thistle is a medicine that is best reserved for situations in which the liver is already under abnormal stress.” Most holistic doctors feel that milk thistle should be administered for 3-6 weeks with a 1-3 week break.

I was looking for scientific evidence. I understand lots of people believe or feel things but from my reading I could only see that milk thistle was supported for liver problems, and read nothing about giving it and taking if off, in fact I read just the opposite, if your animal is on it, don't stop it without discussing it with your vet. Also, many vet don't think it should be given for "whatever" or just in case, and think it might do more harm than good. I'm not saying that it isn't good for other things, I'm only saying that the scientific evidence isn't there yet. However, there is evidence that it helps liver problems. As far as "detoxing the kidneys" many people using the word detox incorrectly and from my reading milk thistle doesn't do this. I also can't find anything about dog milk thistle vs. human milk thistle, but I haven't investigated intensively, I just wonder if you are getting some of this information from people selling the milk thistle? Again, I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything, but these different supplements are not without side effects, and should be used with your vets recommendations and advice.

[KairaPup]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I think you mean liver don't you? By the way, do you have any links about why you should stop and start this, I'm not familiar with the research on that.

It helps with both.

I can't find any studies on it, but every article and bit of knowledge I have on it from trustworthy sources says to stagger it's use. There's no reason to take unneeded risks, IMO, so I stagger it.

[Yorkiemom1]

I have done this for years. It works for me and my dogs. I use granular fertilizer in my yard, as well as granules for fleas, ticks, etc....I like to keep my babies flea free....and this last 6 months with all the flooding we have had, we are having a horrific issue with fleas...I even put flea collars on some of the dogs trying to control this new invasion with fleas...so I like to be absolutely certain my dogs systems are not overwhelmed with toxic chemicals being used in the ditches and being sprayed from the sky and carried into my yard with all the flood water collecting in the yard, along with God only knows what else! Like I said, I have used it for years to keep my dogs healthy, no adverse effects, and my dogs all live long healthy lives (14-17 years), with no adverse effects to anything. I try to operate all areas of my life with the motto, "Do no harm"....and Milk Thistle has certainly done no harm! Quite the contrary, I believe, it has helped me keep my dogs healthy for their entire long lives. I used to have volumes of information I had gathered, that substantiated the reasons for giving this to pets,side effects, dosages, etc....but I lost it all when I lost that computer end of last year. Fortunately, I have given this stuff for so long, it is etched in my mind how to give it.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

I'm just curious... what reason do you all give it for? And do you find that it's effective? I guess you must or you wouldn't give it....

I give it because of her dx of MVD. I had NO idea that I couldn't give it to her more than a few weeks here and then stop. Vet said every day, but, I certainly haven't given it to her every day, either. Weekend before last was comic con, she was boarding. then, last weekend, our a/c broke- she had to go back. I skipped 3 days this week. Now I'm worried. She's picky and refusing her kibble- again- and this was breakfast. I wonder if it's not picky this time, but tummy upset? Calling the vet immediately and asking what in the hell they mean to do about this? I'm glad I don't believe in drowning people in meds and vitamins, as that's spilled over to my dog. I'll stop for another week and then do it again.. I suppose I'll have to do the calendar for this as well.

Thanks for the link and thanks for the advice and information! It's much appreciated. I'm sorry I didn't see this until just now.

[JennaPenny]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

ADDITIONAL INFO ON MILK THISTLE:
Fortunately, research suggests that milk thistle extract not only prevents damage to the liver, but also helps repair it.First, milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect us from chemicals in our bodies called free radicals. Exposure to environmental toxins can increase free radicals in the body, which can do a lot of damage to our cells. This is called oxidation and can eventually lead to cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. Milk thistle protects the liver against harmful oxidation.

Secondly, while we don’t necessarily think of medications as “toxins,” many over the counter drugs and prescription medications can hurt the liver if taken in large enough doses or for long periods of time. Researchers have found that milk thistle can actually prevent or reduce medication induced liver damage. If you have been giving your pet medication and are concerned about the aftermath of chemicals residing in the body, milk thistle will help flush those out.

Thirdly, if the liver has been weakened due to a bevy of reasons, it is unable to break down toxins. In order to combat allergens, the body produces histamine. The liver plays a role in this process; it removes the histamine from the body. If the liver is weakened and congested with toxins, the liver struggles and histamine builds up in the body, leading to more allergic reactions.

Additional Uses
Milk thistle not only helps treat and prevent liver disease. Below is a list of treatment claims linked to the plant:

Kidney disease
If there has been kidney damage to your pet because of an infection milk thistle has been show to greatly decrease the amount of time it takes your pet to heal.

Pancreatitis
Although rare in cats, pancreatitis is very common in dogs. Milk thistle can be given to your dog and cat to help alleviate the symptoms.

Cancer
Milk thistle has been shown to decrease the effects of cancer in a pet’s body. While there haven’t been many studies done, there have been enough that it has shown improvement and helps protect against the potential for cancer in your pet.

Diabetes
Pets suffering from diabetes that are given milk thistle at least once per week have been shown to not have to have nearly the amount of insulin that they would have had to take otherwise.

Clearly, milk thistle has an array of positive effects throughout the body.

However, milk thistle should not be used as a preventative, or a “just in case”; rather, it should be used as a means of cleansing the liver after exposure to toxins (i.e. drugs, vaccines, chemicals, etc.) or as a treatment to liver damage. Milk thistle stimulates the growth of new liver cells in order to replace those that are dead or dying, and helps protect against toxins which could cause further damage.

Remember, medicinal herbs shouldn’t be used for extended periods of time. Gregory L. Tilford and Mary L. Wulff explain in their book entitled Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance your Pet’s Life: “ Milk thistle is a medicine that is best reserved for situations in which the liver is already under abnormal stress.” Most holistic doctors feel that milk thistle should be administered for 3-6 weeks with a 1-3 week break.

THANK you. All fantastic information! I actually printed this out. I'm in the process of trying to find that link given about how to make dog food at home- the good stuff with ways to add vitamins (from food), not just boiled beef/chicken. I just saw this, and had no updates on the fact the thread was commented on.