Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: milk thistle

  1. #1
    Senior Dog Nancy0's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    913
    Thanked: 865

    milk thistle

    Can someone recommend a good milk thistle supplement for dogs and where to get it? I had Charlie's blood checked today and his ALT was 140. Though not too far off the normal range I'd like to give him some milk thistle for a few weeks. I had his level tested in August and his ALT was 71. Back in June it was 91. I did give him Heartgard Plus yesterday. Do you think that could have raised his levels a wee bit?

    Thanks
    Nancy

  2. #2
    Senior Dog bmathers's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    1,135
    Thanked: 713
    Sprocket had elevated liver levels and I used this product:

    https://www.amazon.com/Nutramax-Dena...0011XHGR0?th=1

    It worked fantastically. The only downside is the price. I know milk thistle works for elevated liver levels too, but I never could figure out the dosage, so I went with the Denamarin.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to bmathers For This Useful Post:

    Nancy0 (12-09-2018)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ellicott City, MD
    Posts
    6,626
    Thanked: 3641
    Denamarin started to give Dan intestinal issues so I switched to plain milk thistle (in addition to a homeopathic product LiverAid by PetAlive). This is the milk thistle I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    I also have Sunnie on this since she's on Rovera (no side effects after a year).

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to SunDance For This Useful Post:

    Nancy0 (12-10-2018)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Posts
    4,081
    Thanked: 4633
    Yep, it could be from the medication. Milk thistle is great, but also goat whey. I’d do a recheck in a month just in case.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to Berna For This Useful Post:

    Nancy0 (12-10-2018)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog Black Labbies's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    952
    Thanked: 825
    Hi Nancy,

    What does the vet say about the possible increase from the Heartguard? Is Heartguard safe to give Charlie if he has a (minor) liver issue?

    Milk Thistle is a good herb, but it shouldn't be used as a short-term fix-all for our dog's livers, it should be used for maintenance if there is a liver issue. If you want to use Milk Thistle, Opal has been on the human OTC kind for 3 months at a time - 1/2 the recommended human dosage for a adult Lab-sized dog.

    Opal is now on Hepatosyl-LQ and Hepato Support (has been for several years)
    Hepatosyl-LQ (SAMe LQ ) 225 Snap Tabs


    Good luck with Charlie.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Black Labbies For This Useful Post:

    Nancy0 (12-10-2018)

  10. #6
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    2,598
    Thanked: 2588
    I never worried too much about the brand. I gave Milk Thistle to Hudler when his liver values were a bit high. Most supplements I get are the "NOW" brand. This one has turmeric in it too....Amazon.com: NOW Silymarin Milk Thistle Extract 150 mg,120 Veg Capsules: Health Personal Care

  11. The Following User Says Thank You to JenC For This Useful Post:

    Nancy0 (12-11-2018)

  12. #7
    Senior Dog Black Labbies's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    952
    Thanked: 825
    Nancy, I have first-hand info on this now.
    Ursa is on Keppra for her epilepsy, which can compromise the liver. Her last blood-work showed no liver enzyme increases, but lately she's been very itchy (1 of Keppra's side-effects - which stems from her liver), so Dr. Wanda has put her on 4 weeks of Milk Thistle; 150 mg once per day, and then on a 1 month on, 1 month off bases.

  13. The Following User Says Thank You to Black Labbies For This Useful Post:

    SunDance (12-13-2018)

  14. #8
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    10,985
    Thanked: 6722
    Potion had a bad liver reaction to Rimadyl and vet put her on milk thistle as a support to help liver function. Vet gave us Hepagen C. Between it and wild salmon oil, Potion's liver values returned to normal within a short period of time, I think 2-3 months.
    Hidden Content
    Kissing Bandit

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •