Efficacy of Silymarin and SAM in the Management of Hepatic Disorders in Dogs

Abstract

Background: Treatment of canine liver diseases is often supportive and enables combinations of drug therapy and dietary support. Many nutraceutical compounds that have anti-oxidant properties have been suggested as supplements in animals suffering with hepatic diseases especially silymarin and S-adenosyl methionine The current study was aimed to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of certain nutraceuticals in the management of hepatic disorders in dogs. Methods: Dogs presented to Veterinary Hospital, Bhoiguda, Hyderabad with the clinical signs suggestive of hepatobiliary disorders were selected. Detailed history of the affected dogs was collected. Later, these cases were subjected for detailed clinical examination. While, apparently healthy dogs presented for general health checkup and vaccination with no clinical condition in the age group of 2-5 years were selected randomly as healthy control group for this study. Result: The present investigation was under taken to study the therapeutic efficacy of certain nutraceuticals in the management of hepatic disorders in dogs. Based on history, clinical signs, haemato biochemistry and ultrasonography, 32 dogs were histologically confirmed as hepatic disorders which formed the largest group. These dogs were selected for therapeutic trial. Apart from the specific drugs, addition of nutraceuticals like Silymarin and S-adenosyl methionine therapy was effective in the treatment of hepatic disorders.