ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/silymarin
US brand names:Marin, Milk Thistle, Denamarin, Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
Silymarin is dosed at 4–15 mg/kg PO q8-12h in bearded dragons, per 222. Jepson L. Turtles and tortoises. In: Exotic Animal Medicine: A Quick Reference Guide, Saunders/Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA; 2009:358-411. / 243. Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, Sladky KK, et al. Reptiles. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:81-166. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.274 — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid from milk thistle. Stabilizes hepatocyte membranes, stimulates protein synthesis, and scavenges free radicals.
Generally safe. Often combined with SAMe (Denamarin). Evidence for hepatoprotection moderate. GI upset at high doses. May interact with P-glycoprotein substrates.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 13 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 20–50 mg/kg | q24h (divided q8-12h preferred) | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1168 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.1168' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.1141; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.1141. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), S-Adenosyl-Methionine (SAMe)/Silybin monograph, printed p.1141 (corpus PDF p.1168), DOGS/CATS: "To attempt to reduce fibrosis, silybin 20 - 50 mg/kg PO daily has been suggested." [INDICATION NARROWED 2026-08-12, two readers — the printed figure for chronic hepatitis and other acute hepatopathies is 7-15 mg/kg PO daily.] |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 5–15 mg/kg | q24h | Weak |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, Silymarin monograph, printed p.728 (corpus PDF p.756) — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855 |