Is Your Pet on Drugs? Why They Need Milk Thistle, Too!

“Complementary Medicine:  Milk Thistle”

Alternative practitioners say their methods harness and rally all the resources of the mind, body and spirit—the whole person, the whole animal—and support the healing process rather than interfering with it.  These methods revolve around a central concept as old as the art of healing itself: that each person, each living thing, possesses on a deep level the will and intelligence to be healthy and that these elements can and should be enlisted in effecting a cure.  The Western medical tradition (allopathic/conventional) tends to take control with invasive and powerful methods. 

It’s important to understand, however, that no one single approach—neither conventional, with its powerful drugs and sophisticated surgery, nor alternative, with its less invasive, more natural “whole” body solutions—has all the answers.  Increasing numbers of doctors and veterinarians believe that the future of medical practice lies in an integrative or complementary approach that uses the best of both worlds: the high-tech advances of Western medicine along with the natural methods that maintain and optimize health.

The faster the integration takes place, the better for all of us—human and animal alike.  We can then start to expect that the practitioner that we see will use the most effective and least invasive and toxic method, or combination of methods, he or she possesses.  Such practitioners will choose from a menu of many choices—herbs, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, drugs or surgery.

Both alternative practitioners and veterinarians encourage pet owners to learn what makes their animals sicker or healthier and take appropriate action.  Becoming involved is critical, and for many veterinarians the most important thing they can do is to empower and involve their clients in a health education process.  We are lucky to have such a wide array of wonderful and competent veterinarians locally…they are glad to educate you about your pets.

There is no substitute for knowing your animal and watching for signs that may indicate changes in health.  You are the closest person to your pet, not your veterinarian or any other health practitioner.  You can see changes that may not be obvious to others or are too subtle even for medical tests to pick up.  When you see such changes, trust your observations and tell your veterinarian.

Keeping a journal is a practical and effective method for recording changes in the behavior or health of your pet.  A move to another location or a dramatic event in your household could cause a problem related to stress or anxiety.  If you make a diet change, log the date, and the details, and if your pet had a response.  Observe your pet closely after treatments or vaccinations, which have the potential to create new symptoms.

Ask your veterinarian to show you how to routinely check your pet’s teeth, ears, eyes, and other body parts.  When you pet your animal, run your hand easily over the body in search for any bumps, lumps or anything abnormal.  The bottom line is this:  The more you know about your pet, the better you can carry out your responsibility as companion and caregiver.

One of the herbs I suggest the most for pets and people that are still on prescription or over-the-counter drugs is Milk Thistle.  Milk thistle seed preparations are best sellers in health food stores because they are such effective liver stimulants, tonics and healers.  This is one herb that truly reverses liver damage in both pets and people.  Because of its importance in the treatment of mushroom poisoning, hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug damage and the damage caused by environmental toxins, milk thistle has been scientifically researched in Europe for over 50 years.  In addition to improving the liver, milk thistle can be used for gall bladder and kidney problems.

Any pet that is on medications could benefit from the use of this herb. Research has shown that the use of milk thistle improves drug tolerance and efficacy and serves to prevent liver damage during long-term drug therapies.

Milk thistle demonstrates significant hepatoprotective (liver-protective) activity by stabilizing cellular membrane permeability and directly preventing toxic damage to hepatic cells; by providing antioxidant activity, including increasing intracellular concentration of glutathione; by facilitating cellular regeneration of damaged hepatocytes; and by inhibiting the synthesis of key chemical mediators of inflammation (i.e. leukotrienes and prostaglandins).  Milk thistle has also been shown to facilitate production of hydrochloric acid, pancreatic enzymes and bile; improve the flow of bile through the biliary tract; stimulate peristalsis; and improve immune function.  Furthermore, recent animal research on milk thistle has identified anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and hypocholesterolemic (cholesterol-lowering) effects.

Milk thistle extract has demonstrated no signs of toxicity and thus may be used until clinical improvement is noted.  There is no restriction on long-term use and no known contraindications or interactions.  Milk thistle has also been determined safe for use during pregnancy and lactation.  In fact, research suggests that milk thistle use may prevent and correct liver damage during pregnancy.  However, due to the herb's choleretic activity and depending on dosage, milk thistle may produce a mild laxative effect as a result of increased bile flow and secretion.

DISCLAIMER: This information is intended for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Please seek the advice of a QUALIFIED veterinarian or health care practitioner before using any herbs, supplements or other natural approaches to health discussed in this column.

(This article was written by Carol Koenigsknecht, Herbal Practitioner.  She is available for lectures, classes and workshops and can be reached via her website at http://www.TerraKenHerbals.net .  She also owns and operates Carol's Critter Care, a pet sitting service.)