Milk thistle seeds have a nutty salty sweet flavor youll hardly even know theyre there and if they do itll just add a bit of savory to your dish. While moderate use of milk thistle is very safe there is some experimental evidence to suggest.
Typically milk thistle is considered safe for dogs.
Does milk thistle make you thirsty in dogs. Milk thistle extract is a great option that may be able to promote natural detoxification and support healthy liver and kidneys. If your dog is exhibiting serious and concerning symptoms however or if you are unsure about the cause of their symptoms its crucial to consult with your veterinarian about the issue. This article explores the use of milk thistle in dogs as well as looking at some of the other health conditions it could potentially help in the treatment of.
What is milk thistle. Milk thistle also known as Silybum marinium is a dietary supplement that is taken for its healing properties particularly helping in cases of liver disease. It is made from the seeds of the prickly.
Milk thistle is considered an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It works by regenerating liver cells and protecting them from damage caused by free radicals. It can also help dogs that are healing from drug therapy or infections.
In some cases it can even act as a treatment for cancer. This property makes milk thistle a preferable treatment option for some conditions. Here are the conditions that can be managed by milk thistles for dogs.
Since antiquity most communities have used herbs to manage seizures. However some herbal medicines have been shown to induce seizure. As mentioned above milk thistle is generally safe on dogs.
For dogs with advanced liver disease a dosage as high as 200 mg per 10 pounds of body weight is possible. For other liver problems or health conditions 75 to 100 mg per 10 pounds of body weight per day is sufficient to see results. If milk thistle causes upset stomach gas or mild diarrhea in your dogs simply reduce the.
However before you add this potent herb to your dogs daily regimen just in case it might do some good its 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. While moderate use of milk thistle is very safe there is some experimental evidence to suggest. Why Is Milk Thistle Good for Dogs Liver Kidneys.
Within milk thistle are some constituents called flavanoid-lignam or flavanolignan. This is more commonly called silymarin. Its located in the milk thistles seed shells.
This compound has special liver-protective and kidney-protective properties. These properties can aid in healing these organs. Milk thistle also has antioxidant.
Many dogs with inflammatory bowel disease IBD simultaneously develop inflammation of the liver biliary system and pancreas. The combination of these symptoms is called Triaditis and since the beneficial actions of milk thistle focus on the liver and biliary systems it can also be useful in dogs with IBD. If an infection has damaged your dogs kidney.
Milk thistle has shown to decrease the amount of time it takes your dog to heal. Although rare in cats pancreatitis is very common in dogs. You can give milk thistle to your dog to help ease the symptoms.
Milk thistle has shown to decrease the effects of cancer in a pets body. Some sources on the internet suggest using milk thistle products to help repair damage from other types of medications including flea and tick treatments. There is little evidence to support this assertion.
Using milk thistle on healthy pets may cause adverse side effects and can interact poorly with other treatments your pet might be taking. If you do choose milk thistle for your dog or cat make sure each dose contains 70 to 80 percent Silymarin. Silymarin is the active compound in Silybin.
Any product with less than 70 percent Silymarin wont give your pet the anti-toxin protection he needs. Dont try to diagnose your pets liver problem. Using Milk Thistle as Treatment.
Using milk thistle as an herbal treatment for dog liver disease is fairly straightforward but does require some care and consideration. Studies do show that long-term usage of unusually high doses can actually create a reverse effect on the liver but using milk thistle as a preventative or treatment under normal conditions is very safe and can bring about. Milk thistle appears to be a safe and well-tolerated herb for animals.
Side effects are usually mild and often involve the gastrointestinal tract such as loose stools or mild digestive upsets. Milk thistle is not recommended for use in humans during pregnancy and this same precaution should be observed in animals. It can make your dog very hungry and thirsty.
It can cause weight gain depression lack of energy restlessness and loss of coordination vomiting and liver problems. Milk thistle can support and protect the liver especiall if your dogs taking conventional anti-seizure drugs that have toxic effects on the liver. What does milk thistle do to the body.
Milk Thistle Protects Your Liver. Milk thistle is often promoted for its liver-protecting effects. Its regularly used as a complementary therapy by people who have liver damage due to conditions like alcoholic liver disease non-alcoholic fatty liver disease hepatitis and even liver cancer 1 5 6.
What does milk thistle cure. Typically milk thistle is considered safe for dogs. The biggest side effect that may occur is diarrhea.
If your dog gets diarrhea from milk thistle you should lower the dose or perhaps go for a split dose. Silymarin can be incredibly beneficial for dogs and pets with liver diseases but its not necessarily a cure. You also learn that milk thistle has the potential to cause allergic skin reactions stomach and digestive issues bleeding or clotting problems muscle or joint issues and liver damage.
The extraordinary antioxidant properties of milk thistle for dog extract acts to. For dogs undergoing chemotherapy helps detoxify the body. Other Ailments Milk Thistle May Benefit.
The scientific name for milk thistle is Silybum Marianum. Other than the liver milk thistle has been shown to be protective for our kidneys and brains against toxins free-radical damage and inflammation. There are no known contraindications or interactions with other drugs for milk thistle and the only occasional side effect is a mild laxative effect.
This evidence report details a systematic review summarizing clinical studies of milk thistle in humans. The scientific name for milk thistle is Silybum marianum. It is a member of the aster or daisy family and has been used by ancient physicians and herbalists to treat a range of liver and gallbladder diseases and to protect the liver against a variety of poisons.
Milk thistle is known to not only protect the liver but help to detox the liver - so I would say yes you are correct in thinking the two are connected. And you know we always appreciate a bit of background with the questions. They start with 5lbs of whole ground milk thistle seed.
The whole ground seed is boiled in hot water 2-3x over. More water is added each time to concentrate the active ingredient silymarin. Then any cellulose fiber that doesnt break down is discarded what a.
Heres a simple way to take milk thistle. Run through a coffee grinder or dedicated herb grinder. Stir 1 tsp to 1 Tbsp into each meal.
Milk thistle seeds have a nutty salty sweet flavor youll hardly even know theyre there and if they do itll just add a bit of savory to your dish.