What to do when your pet’s liver is in need of some help

  

We all need a little help sometimes, and the liver is no different. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the liver to need some support because it has a very tough job: along with producing many important substances and helping with digestion, the liver is in charge of filtering toxins out of the body. That means it has to work with harmful substances on a regular basis.

Because of this, many diseases, drugs and toxins can cause damage to the liver. Plus, pets can develop primary diseases that reduce the liver’s function, like inherited conditions or hepatitis.

Luckily for the liver, there are several nutritional supplements that can lend it a helping hand. These include: 

• Milk thistle (silymarin): This natural remedy for liver disease has been around for centuries. It works as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and a detoxifying agent. Milk thistle can even encourage liver regeneration (replacement of unhealthy tissue).
• S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe): This building block of proteins is essential for many chemical reactions and has antioxidant and detoxifying properties.
• Vitamin E: This vitamin, which is found in many foods, is a strong antioxidant and can protect against several toxins.

Although these supplements are beneficial and have minimal side effects, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian prior to starting your pet on them. Introducing liver supplements before your veterinarian has had a chance to diagnose the cause of the liver disease may confuse the diagnosis and lead to missed opportunities for treatment.

Learn more about commonly recommended liver supplements in our online store. >>