milk thistle

I give it to my old girl.  She's a 17 y.o. dob mix and has to take prednisone to suppress her immune system. She survived 2 bouts of Immune Mediated Helolytic Anemia.  I get it from CVS drugstore in the supplement section.  It comes in capsules, so I open them and add it to her food.  It's tasteless and I've never had a problem giving it to her once a day. 

She had elevated liver enzymes and the doctor gave me this medication (I think it was called Marin) that is very expensive.  I found out that it contains whatever active chemical is in Milk Thistle. (go figure, Doc).  We've been doing this for about a year and at least her liver's happy. []

I had a dog with liver problems that chugged along for two years on milk thistle.  Ultimately, he passed quietly from stroke - so I suppose it could have gone on indefinitely.  I gave the human dose to a 40 pound dog - which I remember was a couple pills twice a day, probably - so it would be easy to cut that down for a smaller dog.

Two other things you want.  Vitamin B complex with extra B-12 (usually called complex "plus" or something).  this will provide extra support for the liver - the B-6 (I think) reduces ammonia so the liver doesn't have to work as hard.  Split a single dose between morning and night - don't worry about too much - extra B just makes expensive urine ([]). 

The other thing is CoQ10 to support the heart itself - it is specific for repairing damage, especially to the heart. I think I was doing one softgel twice a day - I don't think you can OD on this as it's a nutrient as opposed to a drug.  I was also using an antioxidant for the last dog we had to do HW treatment for - but he had some special needs.

Does anyone know of stores that sell milk thistle in a liquid form?  Zoe needs so little based on her size that getting capsules or tablets would be ridiculously difficult to use.

Sure! Any health food store should carry a tincture of milk thistle. 

"Animals Apawthecary" carry Milk Thistle is a 1 oz which does not seem like a lot but it is, it costs 9.99.  I get it at [linkhttp://www.onlynaturalpet.com]www.onlynaturalpet.com[/link] or at my health food store since they are very doggy and kitty friendly and carry all that stuff.
 
My dog is 30 lbs and I give him 1 ml twice daily.

OK, I got the milk thistle in liquid form.  I am going to give it when I give her interceptor.  How many days should I give it (do I give it when I give the pill too?)  Does it just go on her tongue?  I have heard to split it up so you don't give it all at once... how many drops is good total for a 10 lb dog?

I don't know about the liquid..., but I am going to quote what Callie told me.

Keep in mind that my dogs weight 33-45 pounds.  She said "  for monthly heartworm preventative  or wormer, then give--for my size dogs-- give 125 mg per day every day for a week."  "Or give 250 mg per day for five days".  " The idea is to get around 1000 mg into a dog of that size."

I give it over one  week time.  So, I suppose about 1/4 that amount would be appropriate for a 10 pound dog.??  A little more shouldn't hurt.

I hope the drops work.  But just for the sake of information, she suggested using Solaray brand Milk Thistle "ONE DAILY".  It doesn't have other nutrients in it, just plain milk thistle.  A lot of them, some Solaray included, have other nutrients, and so I prefer this one now.    Theirs is 350 mg capsules, BUT, it is at 80% potentcy, so that means that the capsule is just 280 mg. 

It's simple for me to use.  I just open up the capsule and pour a little out (I have more than one dog, so I will divide a capsule).  It really is easy just to pour a little out.  I do this with the B vits, refridgerated probiotics, etc.  Some things, like the probiotics, I will open up the capsule 4-5 times before all the stuff gets used.  Just don't have wet hands when you try it!
 
Oh, I think, if you remember, then start a couple of days before and then continue for about 5 days after.  If you forget, then just start after the meds.  I don't give mine at the same time as the meds.  The same day, if I remember, but not the same time.  Milk thistle works like it hleps to "clean" out the liver.  So, it protects in that way.  Not a direct protection -that I am aware of - but protects by supporting the liver. Therefore, IMO, it's not necessary to give at exactly the same time.

BTW, I now take it myself.  Usually just when they are getting it!!