Milk Thistle or SAMe?

If he's taking NSAIDs on a long-term basis he really oughta be on milk thistel ALL the time (day after day ) -- no bas side effects and it will *prevent* the out of whack liver values. 

Milk thistle's "highest and best" use is as a protectant.  It **does** also lower the toxicity that can arise.  But then you have to use quite a bit of it (or move into the realm of milk thistle tinctures -- which is stronger cos it's decocted in alcohol).  HerbPharm is the best you can buy.

SAM-e **is** the detox. If you've got  high liver values already the  SAM-e is simply gonna work **faster** to bring those levels down -- and combining milk thistle *and* SAME-e really helps.  (Like I said -- as long as he's on any drug that is hard on the liver just plain continue some pretty stiff doses of milk thistle -- it will actually help the liver function BETTER and often you can reduce the nsaid, believe it or not).

  However -- the biggest problem with the OTC stuff is that most of it is in caplets (gelcaps) which tend to be enteric.  That's great for a human, but it doesn't dissolve well in dog bodies.

The solution that I've found that truly **rocks** is to use Cell Food SAM-e.   Try their website

There's a locator on the left.  Their SAM-e is a little squeeze bottle - you just put drops on their food twice a day.  That little bottle is pricey BUT it also lasts a WHOLE lot longer than the human gelcaps.  But it works in the stomach!!! 

You can use somewhere between 9 - 13 drops (Aesop is bigger -- I'd do the 13 drops probably). 

This *does* have the Cell Food basic product in it which is, in stelf, a sort of general good supplement and detox. 

 I've used this on me, on Billy AND on Tink -- both of them had a really stubborn problem last year that was probably the result of some toxins after our roof caved in (tar, mold mildew -- it was just lovely *sigh*) and wow -- resolved it FAST. 

That one tiny bottle will last you weeks.  It's darned good stuff.

Now -- as to milk thistle.  If you try to buy the capsules they also are pricey.  BUT -- ordering milk thistle in bulk is an EZ thing -- I like Leaves and Roots - their one pound bag of milk thistle herb is $12.95 -- That is equivalent to about 10 bottles of capsules (AND the dog doesn't have to digest the cellulose capsule).

Milk thistle is pretty benign tasting -- mine actually LIKE it (and will go out of their way to lick up spillage off the floor).  Generally I give a big heaping teaspoon twice a day.  I just stir it into their food

The one downside to Leaves and Roots is you have to make a minimum $20 order -- but I can get totally lost in their essential oils (high quality -- good stuff).  But can I suggest getting Aesop some peppermint oil or wintergreen oil??

Part the coat and pust just a couple of drops on the sore joints and massage in.  You'll find again you can decrease any nsaid you give -- I've had major rheumatoid arthritis all my life since I was about 12 ... and I only take 400 mg of ibuprophen a day -- that is ALL the pain med I take, because mostly I use essential oils to reduce inflammation.  This isn't food flavoring -- this is the real essential oil -- but gosh it works well.  You'll need a dropper for the oil -- but hope this helps.

 Thanks :)  He'll be on the NSAIDs for a bit. We're seeing if his bone chip moves on its own (it's very small..we had to zoom in on the xray quite a bit to see it). If not, he'll have it cleaned out surgically.  He's limping less, so we can give it once a day rather than twice, but an NSAID is an NSAID

I'll look into the milk thistle...he doesn't like anything foodwise, except for cheese, so we may have to experiment there. I had to give up on the Knox joint supplement quite some time ago for him, because he just wouldn't eat anything with the powder in it. (doesn't like yogurt, doesn't like cottage cheese..doesn't like canned food, and wouldn't eat it sprinkled on his dry food.  My dog is weird)

Willow would take it mixed in whipped cream cheese or meat baby food. 

Obviously you CAN buy milk thistle in capsules -- it's just more expensive.

One of my favorite go to's is tahini (sesame butter) -- it's *better* for them than peanut butter and Far more digestible.  Ethinic aisle in the grocery store (near the Jewish stuff like Halavah and Manichewitz soup mixes) -- you have to stir it in the can (it's like old timey peanut butter - it separates) but most dogs find it QUITE yummy

Pill pockets if you have to do the capsules.  Ricotta cheese was always a big favorite too -- because it's low fat but still slippery - yogurt is usually too thin -- especially if they aren't spoon-trained like mine (lol)

Another surprising one is butter (NOT margerine -- the veg oil just isn't digestible) --

Dunno if you've ever seen my suggestions on how to get them to take a pill -- it really IS a training thing once you discover what is attractive enough to make it do-able.

I usually DON'T combine meds with food with a skittish dog -- because you can get them OFF their food easily.  Usually I do meds just prior to a meal -- put the meds in whatever will work (and don't forget liverwurst -- it's slippery and it is LIVER and most dogs absolutely find it irresistible.)

 But divorcing the meds from a meal - but doing it PRIOR you can get hunger to work in your favoor *and* they won't mistrust their food that way.

Seriously try the tahini and/or the liverwurst.  Both work for pills -- AND both also have strong enough flavors to mix stuff into it.  Liverwust you can actulaly mash it with a fork into a paste if you need to try to add a powder to it -- or just cut wedges of it and push a pill into it.  Just don't fib and try to "hide" it -- it ain't gonna work.  *shaking head* -- dogs are far too scent driven.  I always just fess up and TELL them "This is liverwurst plain .... ok, like it??? ok -- this is the one iwth your pill in it so just swallow!" And then I have a 3rd piece in my other hand to get them to swallow so they get the other piece.

I know this is an old post, but just wanted to thank Callie for putting it up here.  Mayday has had a bad night and spent the morning at the emergency vet regarding her neck problems.  Unfortunately, related or not, she has elevated liver enzymes.  Testing for IMHA confirm it's not that (thank god), but May turns 11yrs old tomorrow and spent Friday at the vet's because of vomitting.  Had an x-ray that included her liver and it's not enlarged, but all of this is freaking out May's owner who is online and calling me and her daughter for support.

Thanks to this post I could speak somewhat intelligently (or read aloud this post) so her owner knows what could be most useful right now.  Like choosing which brands to administer the milk thistle the best way - found a store that sells the HerbPharm, but they're closed today, so seeking out other places that sell it.

Thanks Callie.

I don't give probiotics long long term -- it IS, after all, bacteria.  But I give it now and then, and particularly during/after antibiotics (me, too) and any time the situation seems to warrant it.

 Can you get ProZyme there??  That's one I've often used -- it's a bit of a probiotic, but it's also digestive enzymes.  Can be really helpful at times.

I know this is a late reply, but I've been doing research for sam-e and milk thistle, giving it to my dog to hopefully decrease liver enzyme that's quite high. I wanted to add - you said to give it twice a day with food, everything I've been reading says it works best when NOT given with food. And I did buy the Cell Food sam-e that you referenced above, but my vet said to give 225mg/day...according to the label there's only 72mg in 20 drops, so to get 225mg, I'd have to get over 60 drops/day! I bought this one and a liquid Milk Thistle from the Vitamin Shoppe, figure I'll try that for now and maybe next time get a different one.  Thanks!

Hi Did Sam e product capsule cause your pet stomach discomfort? How about the liquid format CellFood Sam e?  It really bothers Toby my 9 1/2 cocker spaniel.  Please respond as soon as you can as it is very important.  Thanks

The CellFood SAM-e is dosed differently (totally differently) than capsules or tablets.  You don't need 'more' .  in the Spring, 2015 CellFood took the sweetener out of CellFood SAM-e so it is very sour.  Usually I tell people to put it in something sweet and also put it in FOOD.  Don't try to give it on an empty stomach - that's not necessary.  My email is callieatcritturs@yahoo.com -- feel free to email me if you want to talk about doses.  There are several things you can do.

Hi, I am new to this site and wonder if anyone can give me any advice regarding my 7 month old Biewer Yorkie. He had severe reactions to antibiotics, frontline and panacur paste. The vet says there is no connection but he was fine before the meds were given. His acid bile blood test came back high but not high enough to be Liver Shunt which they are still not sure about. Can you tell me what SAM-e is please ?

I am from the U.K. so some of your products I am not familiar with.

I would be so grateful for any help.