Discussing SAMe and milk thistle | Pet Peeves
Q: SAMe and milk thistle: can you tell me if these two can be taken together indefinitely even after a dog’s liver enzymes have come down? What is recommended?
— Barbara Keene
A: Well, Barbara, that is a very good question. The short answer is yes, these can be continued indefinitely, but the long answer is more about why the dog is on this medicine. First, please indulge me as I explain the properties of these two supplements for those who are not aware of the health benefits of SAMe and milk thistle.
SAMe is S-adenosyl-methionine. It is an essential amino acid nutrient found in foods such as meat and sunflower seeds. It is useful as an antioxidant, detoxifying the liver and supporting liver cell health. When veterinarians first began putting dogs on SAMe, it was usually a supplement purchased at a human health food store.
Silybum marianum, also known as milk thistle, is a spikey little purple flower known by naturalists to be supportive of liver health. Silybin, an extract of the milk thistle plant, is well known for its liver support properties. It is an antioxidant. It promotes cellular repair and regeneration. It also encourages bile flow from the gallbladder.
When combined, SAMe and Silybin have been found to be the all-natural equivalent of a “one-two punch” to liver disease in pets. It does take a little work and research to get each ingredient separately and combine the two.
The company Nutramax addressed this, creating Denamarin, a once-a-day pill that includes SAMe and Silybin. It is the easiest way to get both of these ingredients. The dose is already premeasured according to the pet’s weight. The results have been very favorable, and many dogs with chronic liver disease do very well on Denamarin.
I have seen a direct correlation between use of this product and lowered liver enzymes, as well as generally improved health and wellbeing in the pet.
Because it aids in the general support of liver function, veterinarians use it for all liver ailments. It is given to dogs that experience liver toxicity such as Sago Palm or insecticide exposure. It also is used in dogs with inherited liver conditions such as Bedlington Terrier Disease (copper storage toxicity). It is given to dogs with Cirrhosis of the liver. Gall bladder ailments can benefit from these supplements.
So, Barbara, the answer to your question is yes, SAMe and Milk Thistle can be taken indefinitely and should be if the dog has a chronic liver ailment. If he is on it for a one-time exposure to toxicity, it would not be necessary after the liver insult has been resolved. For cases such as Sago Palm toxicity, I usually discontinue it two to four weeks after liver enzymes have returned to normal.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Discussing SAMe and milk thistle | Pet Peeves
