Medical Information (Herbal and Prescription drugs)
Please note: I am not a veterinarian and this list is compromised with links to information on drugs and herbal remedies used by various members of the CanineLiver mailing list. This list is by no means a specific protocol to treatment of CAH, but is to give you information on the drugs used and an explanation of what they do. The prescription drugs listed are the most common used in the fight against liver disease. Please discuss the use of prescription drugs and herbal remedies with your veterinarian before use.
There were times during Chase's illness when I felt so bad about all the medicine I was giving her, and sometimes wondered if I was doing more harm than good in adding all these chemicals and herbs to her already stressed liver. Everyone needs to take their own course of action and do what feels right to them in treating their pet (with the veterinarian's approval). In providing a list of the drugs most commonly used I hope to take some of the guess work away for other pet owners in wondering what the heck they're giving their four footed loved ones.
S-Adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e) One of the first prescription drugs your veterinarian my prescribe. Now considered to be the "wonder drug" in fighting CAH. The most popular brand prescribed is Denosyl SD4 from Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. This medication can be quite expensive, so check online prices (link to online prescription services coming soon).
Nutramax Laboratories, Inc Website for the brand of SAMe most prescribed Denosyl SD4. Information from technical to research papers.
LiverCare - When I first joined the Canine Liver mailing list this product by HimalayaUSA was talked about and recommended. It is a natural herbal formula containing natural ingredients used to detoxify the liver. You may want to discuss it's use with your vet. before using it. Just print out the page from the link and take it on your next visit. Note that many conventional doctors do not embrace the use of herbal medicines, however you may want to also consult with a holistic vet.
HimalayaUSA - Company page explaining how LiverCare works and the ingrediants.
Actigall ( Ursodeoxycholic Acid - Ursodiol) - Given to Chase in the later stages of her disease and helped tremendously. I wish the vets. would have recommended this one sooner. It's also a very expensive drug and I would recommend ordering from an online pharmacy.
Milk Thistle - A natural herb used for years by humans as a liver cleanser. The active ingredient in the plant is silymarin. You can read more about milk thistle and how it cleanses the liver here:
Prednisone As the liver disease progressed Chase began losing her appetite as well as lots of weight. We knew this wasn't a good sign, as eating was one of her favorite past times. She had more blood tests run and was found to also have autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). In order to try and get her feeling better, and increase her appetite I agreed to put her on Prednisone. This was a very difficult decision for me as I'm usually against steroid usage of any kind. We started her on low doses and she began to eat and feel a little better. The down side to Prednisone use is it's hard on the liver. Seems like we couldn't win for losing.
I wanted to supply information about Prednisone because I know it's used often in liver as well as other diseases. Using it is a choice you, as a pet owner, will have to make. If you do choose to use it please start in low doses, don't keep your pet on it any longer then you think necessary and slowly wean them off the drug.
PetEducation.com ( a site run by Drs. Foster & Smith) has an excellent article on the conventional medications used in treating liver disease in dogs. Just type in "liver disease" in the search engine on the page and it will direct you to the article.
Familymeds.com is where I found the best prices on the acti-gall and SAM-e I was giving Chase. You'll need a prescription from your veterinarian to order anything from them.
