Description
Milk Thistle – Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats
Milk thistle is named for the milky substance which is released when the leaves of this plant are crushed. The active component of this substance is named Silibinin, which is itself the active component in a group of flavonoids called Silymarin, which aid in the recovery of liver cells damaged by toxic substances, and help protect existing regenerated cells from becoming damaged. Silymarin is a strong, potent antioxidant; it is stronger than vitamins C and E, which cause it to have significant cancer fighting characteristics. In pets, it is used to treat different ailments including viral feline/canine hepatitis, the effects of cancer on the liver, inflammatory bowel disease, fatty liver, and gallbladder stone prevention.
Common side effects of Milk Thistle found in humans were mild stomach upset and diarrhea. If you pet experiences either of these symptoms, they can be prevented by reducing the dosage. The dosages for