Denamarin for Dogs – Why Has My Vet Recommended This?

If your vet has recommended a product called Denamarin then you may have a few questions. Sometimes there’s so much information and other things to talk about at your pet’s consultation that you might have forgotten to ask questions about the medication. Hopefully, this article will cover most of what you need to know, but you should always contact your vet if you have any concerns at all.

What is Denamarin?

Denamarin is a supplement for dogs and cats containing S-Adenosylmethionine(SAMe) and silybin. These two ingredients help to support the liver which is one of the largest organs in the body. The liver has many essential roles including the production of hormones, proteins, and enzymes. It also detoxifies and removes waste products from the body. If the liver becomes compromised, then your pet can soon start to become very unwell.

Denamarin is a nutritional supplement that can be purchased over the counter or online, but most owners will only use it based on their veterinarians’ recommendations. Denamarin is a leading brand name, but you may find SAMe and silybin in other nutritional supplements too. However, the bioavailability of this product is thought to be better than some of the alternatives out there (such as milk thistle which is sold in health food stores).

Denamarin helps to support the liver which is one of the largest organs in the body.

How does it work?

Denamarin is based on two active ingredients –

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)

When your pet’s liver is not working as effectively as normal, the production of S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) decreases, which has further negative impacts on liver function. So Denamarin helps to supplement your pet with SAMe which has also in turn been shown to increase levels of the important antioxidant glutathione. Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that protects hepatic cells from toxins and death.

Silybin

Silybin is an antioxidant that helps to protect against harmful free radicals, further supporting your pet’s liver function. It also supports the flow of bile through the liver, helping your pet digest and absorb food effectively. As well as helping the liver to effectively perform it also helps with liver repair and increases levels of glutathione.

Denamarin helps to supplement your pet with SAMe which has also in turn been shown to increase levels of the important antioxidant glutathione.

How is it administered?

Denamarin comes in tablet form to be given orally. These tablets must be given whole (don’t split them or crumble them up) because they are enteric-coated, to prevent them from being oxidized.

Denamarin tablets should be given on an empty stomach, at least one hour before a meal to maximize absorption of the product. You could give the tablets first thing in the morning after an overnight fast, before breakfast. If you need to, then you can disguise the tablets in a small amount of food.

Denamarin comes in tablet form to be given orally. These tablets must be given whole (don’t split them or crumble them up) because they are enteric-coated, to prevent them from being oxidized.

What is it used for?

Denamarin may be recommended for many different liver complaints in both cats and dogs including –

• Liver cirrhosis
• Cholangiohepatitis
• Hepatic fibrosis
• Infectious disease (leptospirosis)
• Copper storage disease
• Liver cancer
• Toxicity/poisoning cases
• Dogs that are on medications that put a strain on the liver (like certain anti-epileptic drugs)

However, Deanamarin is also showing promise in other fields of medicine. It is thought that SAMe supplementation can help in the management of canine cognitive dysfunction and osteoarthritis (joint pain). A study in humans showed promising results for the treatment of osteoarthritis but further studies are needed in this area.

You should always speak to your vet for advice on supplements before giving your pet anything new. There may be other treatment options that need to be explored alongside nutritional products.

You should always speak to your vet for advice on supplements before giving your pet anything new.

Does Denamarin have any side effects?

There are no known side effects associated with Denamarin in cats and dogs, so it is considered to have a wide safety margin.

Are there any drug interactions to be aware of?

Denamarin can be safely used alongside other products and dietary changes. Your vet will be able to advise you further on this.

Is Denamarin effective?

If Denamarin is given according to your vet’s instructions, then it can be very effective in helping to support your pet’s condition. Different tablet sizes deliver appropriate doses for the size of your pet, so it is important to make sure you are using the correct one for your animal’s body weight.

It is also worth bearing in mind that Denamarin is often used alongside other drugs and treatments, you may not be able to rely solely on this nutritional supplement. Always follow your vet’s advice regarding treatment for your pet as some liver conditions may also need prescription medications such as antibiotics.

If Denamarin is given according to your vet’s instructions, then it can be very effective in helping to support your pet’s condition.

Conclusion

Denamarin is a nutritional supplement that can be used to support your pet’s liver in a number of underlying disease processes. This product has a high safety margin and minimal side effects, so is safe for most pets and can be extremely beneficial. Hopefully, this article has helped broaden your understanding of Denamarin, but don’t hesitate to contact your vet if you still have any questions.