Expert: Marie Peppers Date: 5/15/2008 Subject: High alk phos level
Question My 11-year old terrier mix has a high alk phos level (don't have the specific numbers)and I have been told that Milk Thistle is good for this. Do you agree, if so, at what dosage (she's approx. 30 lbs. and we're trying to get a few pounds off of her)OR do you recommend another liver/pancreas supplement. Thank you so much for your time.
Answer Hi Vikki: This is the amount of Milk Thistle that your baby should be taking...
Dosage and administration
The standard dosage of milk thistle extract is based on a silymarin content of around 80 percent; most supplements contain anywhere from 50-500 milligrams (175 mg is typical). As with many supplements, it’s probably better to buy a milk thistle derivative rather than a silymarin-only or other fractional supplement, since there may be other compounds found in the whole herb that significantly enhance the effects of what science has decided is the main player.
Because of its excellent safety record and lack of adverse drug interactions, when I’m treating a very sick dog with advanced liver disease, I do not hesitate to use up to 200 mg per 10 pounds of body weight of milk thistle extract daily. For most canine purposes, however, one-third to one-half of that dose is more than adequate. (Dogs with liver disease typically will not eat, but it’s a simple matter to open up a capsule, mix the appropriate amount of powdered herb with a little blenderized food or baby food, and feed it to the dog in a syringe.) Too high a dose can cause an upset tummy, gas, or mild diarrhea; these are easily resolved by giving less.
