The Benefits of Milk Thistle For Heartworm Medication

Milk thistle is a flower that has been used as medication for thousands of years as a way to help detoxify the liver (Naturally, 2014). This is beneficial today because it reduced the stress load on the liver when harmful chemicals, and the like, enter the body. Since the liver is what is taking the brunt of filtering out all the negative toxins in the body, it is a good idea to make the liver’s job a little easier. Milk thistle not only helps detoxify, but it also helps repair the liver by protecting the liver cells from damage caused by toxins (Taylor and Becker, 2011).

I use the brand Now.

 

Milk Thistle for Heartworm Medication

As stated in my previous post, Heartworm: What You Need To Know, heartworm medication is a poison meant to kill microfilaria and parasites which is toxic to our pets bodies. Because of this, it can be damaging and taxing on the liver to filter out the toxins from the medication. If you have decided to administer heartworm medication after reading and learning about the lifecycle of heartworm, then it is a very good idea to give milk thistle for one full week after administering heartworm medication. Dosing milk thistle varies by body weight.

Dr. Karen Backer’s dose recommendations are very vague:

-          ½ capsule a day for small dogs and cats (Taylor and Becker, 2011)

-          1 capsule a day for medium dogs (Taylor and Becker, 2011)

-          1 capsule twice a day for large/giant dogs (Taylor and Becker, 2011)

Other's have a more accurate dosage recommendation:

-          <5lbs: 10% of adult daily dosage (Hofve, 2002; Mastiff, 2005-2009; Petz, 2011)

-          5-10lbs: 15% of adult daily dosage (Hofve, 2002; Mastiff, 2005-2009; Petz, 2011)

-          11-2lbs: 20% of adult daily dosage (Hofve, 2002; Mastiff, 2005-2009; Petz, 2011)

-          21-4lbs: 30% of adult daily dosage (Hofve, 2002; Mastiff, 2005-2009; Petz, 2011)

-          41-7lbs: 50% of adult daily dosage (Hofve, 2002; Mastiff, 2005-2009; Petz, 2011)

-          71-100lbs75% of adult daily dosage (Hofve, 2002; Mastiff, 2005-2009; Petz, 2011)

-          >100lbs 100% of adult daily dosage (Hofve, 2002; Mastiff, 2005-2009; Petz, 2011)

Resources for further information on milk thistle for heartworm medication and more:

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/MilkThistle.html

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/milk_thistle.htm

http://milkthistlefordogs.org/

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/milk-thistle-for-your-dog/

http://www.tibetanmastiff.net/Heartworm.html

Bibliography

Hofve, J. (2002, July). Milk Thistle. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from Canine Epilepsy Guardian Angels: http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/milk_thistle.htm

Mastiff, T. (2005-2009). Timing Heartworm Preventative. Retrieved June 25, 201$, from Tubetan Mastiff: http://www.tibetanmastiff.net/Heartworm.html

Naturally, D. (2014). Milk Thistle For Your Dog! Retrieved June 25, 2014, from Dogs Naturally: http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/milk-thistle-for-your-dog/

Petz, J. (2011, December 13). Milk Thistle (Silymarin). Retrieved June 25, 2014, from Canine Epilepsy Resources: http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/MilkThistle.html

Taylor, B., & Becker, K. S. (2011). Dr. Becker's Real Food For Healthy Dogs and Cats: Simple Homemade Food. Natural Pet Productions.