Does anyone have any recommendations for which brand of milk thistle they like? Also, does anyone know what dose is best for preventative measures? I'm getting mixed results in my research.

Thanks

If i recall i was trying that with Sierra for her liver, what are you trying to use it for?

Loki has been put on phenobarb for seizures. It's 60 mg twice a day. It will probably be adjusted up or down depending on how he does in the next month. I was reading a few things for canine epilepsy that mentioned those on phenobarb benefit from milk thistle in preventing liver damage.

I do not believe any dose is recommended for prevention. Milk Thistle, similar to dandelion, should not be used long term. It is a blood thinner and can cause some serious issues if used too much. Most give for a couple weeks once a year is all, usually at the end of summer when people stop with the pesticides or after getting them vaccinated. Animal Essentials used to make a supplement and I have liked their brand of other supplements. They tend to have clear dosing instructions. Do not give with other supplements and go over it with your vet before mixing it with any medications.

Edited to Add: Forgot he was on seizure meds for a second there. Those who use it regularly for reasons similar to yours that I have talked to use it for a couple weeks then go off it for a few weeks, then do another round. So a potential schedule based on how much and how often you are having to give his meds would look like two weeks on, then two weeks off. You for the first little while as you are getting used to using it I would keep close tabs on blood work and other things.

Really? Dang, thanks Jenn. I guess I'm just going to have to stop getting info off those canine health websites, they never mentioned anything about that. Scary stuff.

There is a wealth of information on the internet. Some is very good and some is about half the information you really need. Milk thistle is a great tool in moderation. I think Loki could definitely benefit from it. Just use it carefully.

I think my mother-in-law uses the Standard Process brand but she used it for an actual health issue, not for preventative measures.

Haha the internet is dark and full of terrors. It looks like animal essentials has a special liver blend: https://www.chewy.com/animal-essentials-liver-defense/dp/125414

Thanks again for the info about the blood thinning. Scary to think I might have just given it to him without realizing it might have some risks to it.

Valerie, is it ok if I ask what the health issue was and if she saw improvement with it? If you're not comfortable divulging that I totes understand.

Danielle, I know it's been discussed in older threads here, by members who have/had seizuring huskies. I can't remember the threads offhand, but if I could find it, anyone can, lol. Quite a few members here were/are using it.

Can I ask, did Loki have more seizures that prompted the pheno prescription? Many, many vets will just put a seizuring dog on pheno right away when it may not be necessary. If I recall correctly, a dog seizuring more than once in a month, and/or having cluster seizures, are candidates for meds

I searched for milk thistle but nothing relevant came up. I'll pour through the seizure threads and see if it might be buried in there. Not sure how the search algorithms on this site work.

Yeah he had three seizures in a day two days ago. Blood work turned up nothing, unfortunately.

Yeah, I wasn't searching milk thistle when I saw it, it was in seizure threads.

Sorry about Loki's seizures, Danielle. My first husky to seizure, was put on pheno (cluster seizures...severe) and it wasn't pleasant for a little while. I felt so bad for him don't be discouraged, it does get better. I can't stress enough though that this med has to be given on a very strict schedule and keep all his blood work appointments that will monitor the level of pheno in his system. It's extremely important. Also don't be discouraged should he still seizure on meds, you will probably still see seizures breakthrough, I know I did.

@Rumflower wrote:

Valerie, is it ok if I ask what the health issue was and if she saw improvement with it? If you're not comfortable divulging that I totes understand.

Honestly, I cannot remember since the dog she was giving it to passed away years ago. I believe it was something liver related but I cannot remember specifics.

Asked my mother-in-law about the milk thistle. Turns out she still gives it to all her dogs (daily) to keep their liver enzymes in check.