Epilepsy is a challenging condition to manage in dogs, often requiring long-term medication to control seizures. While these anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) can be vital for your dog’s health and quality of life, they can also place significant stress on the liver. This is where milk thistle, a natural supplement known for its liver-protective properties, often comes into play. But how exactly does milk thistle help, and why is it recommended alongside AED therapy? Let’s explore the science behind milk thistle’s role in supporting the liver health of epileptic dogs.
The Impact of AEDs on Liver Function
Anti-epileptic drugs are extremely important for managing seizures in dogs with epilepsy, but they are not without their drawbacks. The liver, being the body’s primary detoxifying organ, is responsible for metabolising these medications. Over time, the continuous processing of AEDs can lead to liver stress, resulting in elevated liver enzyme levels, inflammation, and even liver damage.
How AEDs Affect the Liver
Increased Liver Enzymes: AEDs like phenobarbital are known to cause elevated levels of liver enzymes, including ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and ALP (alkaline phosphatase). These enzymes are markers of liver function, and elevated levels often indicate liver stress or damage.
Oxidative Stress: The metabolism of AEDs generates free radicals, leading to oxidative stress in the liver. Oxidative stress damages liver cells and can exacerbate liver inflammation, leading to further complications.
Hepatotoxicity: In severe cases, prolonged use of AEDs can lead to hepatotoxicity, where the liver becomes progressively damaged, potentially leading to liver failure if not managed properly.
Have Questions About Canine Epilepsy?
Join our online community of epileptic pet owners who can help you through this journey. We know how stressful it can be caring for an epileptic dog, and we are here to help.
How Milk Thistle Can Help Counteract the Hepatotoxic Effects of AEDs
Milk thistle, particularly its active component silymarin, is frequently recommended to help counteract these negative effects. Silymarin has been extensively studied for its hepatoprotective (liver protecting) properties, making it a valuable tool in supporting the liver health of dogs undergoing long-term AED therapy.
1. Antioxidant Properties
Silymarin’s potent antioxidant effects are central to its ability to protect the liver. By neutralising the free radicals produced during AED metabolism, silymarin helps reduce oxidative stress and prevent liver cell damage.
Research Findings: A significant body of research in dogs, humans, and other mammals demonstrate that silybin (a key component of milk thistle) reduces ALT and ALP levels, indicating that silymarin can effectively lower liver enzyme levels and protect the liver from the oxidative stress caused by AEDs. Studies like those by Desplaces et al. (1975) demonstrated that silymarin can prevent the depletion of glutathione, a key antioxidant in the liver, thereby enhancing the liver’s ability to detoxify harmful substances. This antioxidant action is particularly beneficial for dogs on AEDs, where the liver is constantly working to metabolize these drugs.
2. Stabilizing Liver Cell Membranes
One of the ways silymarin protects the liver is by stabilizing the membranes of liver cells, making them more resilient to damage.
Mechanism: Silymarin binds to the phospholipids in liver cell membranes, reinforcing them and preventing toxins from entering and damaging the cells. This membrane-stabilising effect is crucial for dogs on AEDs, as it helps maintain the integrity of liver cells despite the ongoing stress from medication.
3. Promoting Liver Regeneration
Silymarin not only protects existing liver cells but also supports the regeneration of new cells, helping the liver to recover from damage.
Research Findings: Studies have shown that silymarin stimulates protein synthesis in the liver, which is vital for the regeneration of liver tissue. This regenerative capacity is especially important for dogs on long-term AEDs, where continuous liver support is necessary to prevent long-term damage.
Integrating Milk Thistle into Treatment Plans
While milk thistle is beneficial, it should be integrated into a broader treatment plan tailored to the individual needs of the dog.
Consulting with a Vet: we always recommend consulting with them before starting milk thistle, as they can help determine the appropriate dosage and timing, ensuring that it complements the existing AED therapy without causing any adverse interactions.
Practical Tips: Using Milk Thistle Safely for Epileptic Dogs
If you’re considering milk thistle for your epileptic dog, here’s how to use it effectively:
Choose the Right Supplement: Opt for a high-quality milk thistle supplement, ideally standardised to contain 70-80% silymarin.
Start with the Right Dosage: The general guideline is 2-5 mg of silymarin per pound of body weight, given 2 to 3 times daily. Your veterinarian can provide specific dosage recommendations based on your dog’s needs.
Monitor for Side Effects: Although milk thistle is generally safe, watch for any signs of gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhoea or bloating. If your dog has allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family, use milk thistle with caution.
Work with Your Vet: Always consult your veterinarian before adding any new supplement, especially if your dog is on AEDs. Your vet can help tailor the use of milk thistle to your dog’s specific health requirements and ensure it’s used safely.
Use it Intermittently: Milk thistle is best used in cycles—typically for 3-6 weeks, followed by a break. This allows the liver to benefit from the supplement without becoming overly reliant on it.
Has Dogileptic Helped You and Your Epi Pup 🐶?
Running this site takes resources, and we rely on donations to keep information free and accessible. If our site has helped you, please consider giving back to support our mission.
Your donation means the world to us and to dogs we help 💕
Conclusion: Using Milk Thistle For Dogs With Seizures: Supporting Your Epileptic Dog's Liver
For dogs with epilepsy, managing liver health is a crucial aspect of their overall care. The long-term use of AEDs can place significant stress on the liver, making supplements like milk thistle an important part of a comprehensive health plan. With its proven antioxidant properties, ability to stabilise liver cells, and support for liver regeneration, milk thistle offers a natural way to help protect your dog’s liver from the side effects of necessary medications.
However, it’s essential to approach milk thistle as part of a broader strategy, always in consultation with your veterinarian. By doing so, you can ensure that your dog receives the full benefits of milk thistle while continuing to manage their epilepsy effectively.
References
Hackett, E. S., D. C. Twedt, and D. L. Gustafson. "Milk thistle and its derivative compounds: a review of opportunities for treatment of liver disease." *Journal of veterinary internal medicine* 27.1 (2013): 10-16.
Ludovico Abenavoli, Raffaele Capasso, Natasa Milic, Francesco Capasso. MILK THISTLE IN LIVER DISEASES: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE. Phytotherapy Research, 2010, 24 (10), pp.1423.
10.1002/ptr.3207 . hal-00599834
Marchegiani, Andrea, et al. "Evidences on molecules most frequently included in canine and feline complementary feed to support liver function." *Veterinary Medicine International* 2020.1 (2020): 9185759.
Post-White, Janice, Elena J. Ladas, and Kara M. Kelly. "Advances in the use of milk thistle (Silybum marianum)." *Integrative cancer therapies* 6.2 (2007): 104-109.
Flora, Kenneth, et al. "Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the therapy of liver disease." *The American journal of gastroenterology* 93.2 (1998): 139-143.
Gogulski, Maciej, et al. "Effects of silybin supplementation on nutrient digestibility, hematological parameters, liver function indices, and liver-specific mi-RNA concentration in dogs." *BMC Veterinary Research* 17.1 (2021): 228.
Lakshmi, K., and K. Padmaja. "Efficacy of Silymarin and SAM in the Management of Hepatic Disorders in Dogs." *Indian Journal of Animal Research* 58.2 (2024).
Tedesco, Doriana Eurosia Angela, and Alessandro Guerrini. "Use of milk thistle in farm and companion animals: A review." *Planta Medica* 89.06 (2023): 584-607.
Watson, Penny. "Nutraceuticals and liver disease: a case-based approach." (2016): 87.
Bijak, Michal. "Silybin, a major bioactive component of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaernt.)—Chemistry, bioavailability, and metabolism." *Molecules* 22.11 (2017): 1942.
Brăteanu Teliban, Mădălina, et al. "The hepatoprotective effect of some herbal and mineral preparations in the treatment of various hepatopathies in dogs and cats." (2018).
Twedt, David. "Update on Chronic Hepatitis in Dogs.”
Nieradka, Renata. "The Effectiveness of Hepatiale Forte Advanced as hepatoprotective agent in dogs." *THE FIRST DIET ON THE MARKET TO BE A COMBINATION OF INTESTINAL AND HYPOALLERGENIC FOOD*: 20.
Martello, Elisa, et al. "Antioxidant effect of a dietary supplement containing fermentative S-acetyl-glutathione and silybin in dogs with liver disease." *Veterinary Sciences* 10.2 (2023): 131.
Abascal, Kathy, and Eric Yarnell. "The many faces of Silybum marianum (milk thistle): part 2-clinical uses, safety, and types of preparations." *Alternative & Complementary Therapies* 9.5 (2003): 251-256.
Sgorlon, Sandy, et al. "Nutrigenomic activity of plant derived compounds in health and disease: Results of a dietary intervention study in dog." *Research in veterinary science* 109 (2016): 142-148.
K. A. Skorupski, G. M. Hammond, A. M. Irish et al., “Prospective randomized clinical trial assessing the efficacy of Denamarin for prevention of CCNU-induced hepatopathy in
tumor-bearing dogs,” *Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine*, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 838–845, 2011.
Vogel, Günther, et al. "Protection by silibinin against Amanita phalloides intoxication in beagles." *Toxicology and applied pharmacology* 73.3 (1984): 355-362.
Floersheim, G. L., et al. "Effects of penicillin and silymarin on liver enzymes and blood clotting factors in dogs given a boiled preparation of Amanita phalloides." *Toxicology and applied pharmacology* 46.2 (1978): 455-462.
Desplaces, A., et al. "The effects of silymarin on experimental phalloidine poisoning." *Arzneimittel-forschung* 25.1 (1975): 89-96.
Filburn CR, Kettenacker R, Griffin DW. Bioavailability of a silybin-phosphatidylcholine complex in dogs. J Vet Pharma- col Ther 2007;30:132–138.
Valenzuela, Alfonso, et al. "Selectivity of silymarin on the increase of the glutathione content in different tissues of the rat." *Planta medica* 55.05 (1989): 420-422.
Manna, Sunil K., et al. "Silymarin suppresses TNF-induced activation of NF-κB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and apoptosis." *The Journal of Immunology* 163.12 (1999): 6800-6809.
Boigk, Gabriele, et al. "Silymarin retards collagen accumulation in early and advanced biliary fibrosis secondary to complete bile duct obliteration in rats." *Hepatology* 26.3 (1997): 643-649.
Crocenzi, Fernando A., and Marcelo G. Roma. "Silymarin as a new hepatoprotective agent in experimental cholestasis: new possibilities for an ancient medication." *Current medicinal chemistry* 13.9 (2006): 1055-1074.
Müzes, Gy, et al. "Effect of silimarin (Legalon) therapy on the antioxidant defense mechanism and lipid peroxidation in alcoholic liver disease (double blind protocol)." *Orvosi hetilap* 131.16 (1990): 863-866.
Lieber, Charles S., et al. "Silymarin retards the progression of alcohol-induced hepatic fibrosis in baboons." *Journal of clinical gastroenterology* 37.4 (2003): 336-339.
Mayer, K. E., R. P. Myers, and S. S. Lee. "Silymarin treatment of viral hepatitis: a systematic review." *Journal of viral hepatitis* 12.6 (2005): 559-567.
Serviddio, Gaetano, et al. "A silybin-phospholipid complex prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in a rodent model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis." *Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics* 332.3 (2010): 922-932.
Loguercio, Carmela, and Davide Festi. "Silybin and the liver: from basic research to clinical practice." *World journal of gastroenterology: WJG* 17.18 (2011): 2288.
Dunnick, June K., et al. "Investigating the potential for toxicity from long-term use of the herbal products, goldenseal and milk thistle." *Toxicologic pathology* 39.2 (2011): 398-409.
Comments