Milk thistle - how long to see change?

Roxylola

Roxylola

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Friend has a 4 in june Belgian draught. Owned from a 6 month weanling, imported from Belgium. Gelded as a yearling.
He's never really thrived - which wasn't hugely worrying, big heavy breed especially you don't want them carrying excess as youngsters.
He's always peed and drunk a lot - seen him pee 3 times in about an hour as a yearling! And an extra big rubber trug full of water twice a day!
The water and peeing have always troubled me about him and I've suggested numerous times running bloods, especially coupled with failure to thrive.
She's always said no as in fairness he puts a bit on - enough to look lean but not awful then grew and went skinny again.
However,the last year he's been on good adlib haylage - eats about 18kg a day,more just gets wasted,18kg is enough to have a smidge left morning and night.
He's fed a decent amount of grass nuts, Alfa pellets, sugar beet, linseed and ready mash extra.
He's not really grown but he went really very thin and never picked up much - definitely not as much as he should for the amount he's eating for a healthy heavy horse not in work!
Still drinks a lot.
I'd finally convinced her on bloods but also suggested while arranging to try milk thistle. He's been on it 2 weeks and looking at him today he looks decent - not covered but not "really *insert expletive of choice* thin. Like not RSPCA bad but for a horse on a lot of good grub inexplicably not good.
Wormers all ok, no other changes.
Could it really be the milk thistle that quick?
 
I had to really pump feed into my Ardennes despite him being under 15h - i used to say he was asymptomatic for his pssm but looking back i wonder if the amount of food he needed to retain muscle tone was a symptom.

Took me ages to see results from milk thistle when my mare had liver issues though - 2 weeks would be a quick turnaround.
 
SEL said:
I had to really pump feed into my Ardennes despite him being under 15h - i used to say he was asymptomatic for his pssm but looking back i wonder if the amount of food he needed to retain muscle tone was a symptom.

Took me ages to see results from milk thistle when my mare had liver issues though - 2 weeks would be a quick turnaround.
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That's interesting about the pssm, the 4 year old is only about 16hh - so relatively short for the breed but looks proportional at that and she wasn't looking for him to be super tall. He's a sweet dude, I feel deeply suspicious that it can't be the milk thistle but it's the only obvious thing... He's also had a little bit more energy the last week or so thinking about it. I sort of hope it is otherwise it could be a rabbit warren but feel bad too for not suggesting it earlier if it's working this well.
Time will tell
 
We had really positive results with milk thistle with the Friesian when he had liver issues with an about a month. He was on other meds at the beginning too but the. Milk thistle helped a lot though and in fact he’s stayed on in at a maintenance dose under veterinary advice.
 
I can't remember exactly how long but we noticed pretty quickly an improvement in the cob's dermatitis, so I would think your improvement could be as a result of the milk thistle.
Can I suggest removing the linseed from the diet, too? I realised that it was making her skin problems worse.
I should also tell you that I believe that my 6 yr old Shire mare had Cushings when she had to get pts, so even in such a young horse, I would have him tested. It is almost 30 yrs since I lost the Shire, so it was something I'd never heard of and, presumably, neither had the vet.
I love the big, heavy horses and miss my Kaltblut, so I will keep my fingers crossed for your friend's gelding.
 
I don’t think there are any good studies that show it works, so the chances it being behind an improvement are limited, I say this as a person on medication that could effect my liver that has regular blood tests for it.
 
can't answer on the milk thistle but I would recommend speaking to the owner of silver lining herbs.

I've used them lots and they have a liver maintenance supplement! when my horse had low white blood count they made up a specialised blend for supporting the liver and fighting infections, and he was back to normal within 2 weeks.
the supplements are made from all herbs.

if you send pics of your horse and details of what your issues are the owner will come back with a recommendation for you! they're also really well priced! around £40 but last around 2 months.

 
Why is the owner so reluctant to do a basic blood test? Such an obvious first step for an imported youngster that is failing / is not thriving.

A blood test would be considerably cheaper than trying ad hoc supplements, not to mention the amount of feed. The feeds listed are similar and it seems very strange to feed that amount of bulk with varying calorie ranges.

Is this a new and novice owner?

Absolutely vet for a blood test as an immediate first step. I cannot comprehend their refusal so far and reluctance to have made an immediate appointment. It does not take weeks to arrange.
 
When you say wormers all ok, have you been doing worm counts? And blood tests for encysted?

Only saying because the Belgian draught, imported at 6 months from Belgium, at my yard has irreparable worm damage. He too has never thrived and has spells when he is very poorly indeed.
 
rhino said:
When you say wormers all ok, have you been doing worm counts? And blood tests for encysted?

Only saying because the Belgian draught, imported at 6 months from Belgium, at my yard has irreparable worm damage. He too has never thrived and has spells when he is very poorly indeed.
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FEC yes, never blood tested for encysted but previous yard had a worming program and disregarded work counts 🤷‍♀️ however, as a result he's definitely had a 5 day panacur during a Feb freeze so hopefully would make that unlikely. I'll add to the list though.

I'll also add Cushing's to the bloods list too, thanks for that suggestion.

Much appreciating the helpful suggestions and experiences. Thanks 😊
 
Roxylola said:
Friend has a 4 in june Belgian draught. Owned from a 6 month weanling, imported from Belgium. Gelded as a yearling.
He's never really thrived - which wasn't hugely worrying, big heavy breed especially you don't want them carrying excess as youngsters.
He's always peed and drunk a lot - seen him pee 3 times in about an hour as a yearling! And an extra big rubber trug full of water twice a day!
The water and peeing have always troubled me about him and I've suggested numerous times running bloods, especially coupled with failure to thrive.
She's always said no as in fairness he puts a bit on - enough to look lean but not awful then grew and went skinny again.
However,the last year he's been on good adlib haylage - eats about 18kg a day,more just gets wasted,18kg is enough to have a smidge left morning and night.
He's fed a decent amount of grass nuts, Alfa pellets, sugar beet, linseed and ready mash extra.
He's not really grown but he went really very thin and never picked up much - definitely not as much as he should for the amount he's eating for a healthy heavy horse not in work!
Still drinks a lot.
I'd finally convinced her on bloods but also suggested while arranging to try milk thistle. He's been on it 2 weeks and looking at him today he looks decent - not covered but not "really *insert expletive of choice* thin. Like not RSPCA bad but for a horse on a lot of good grub inexplicably not good.
Wormers all ok, no other changes.
Could it really be the milk thistle that quick?
Click to expand...
I have also used Legaphyton with good success. https://www.equistro.com/products/equistror-legaphyton
 
Errin Paddywack said:
I gave my boy milk thistle in desperation as he had a form of dermatitis all over his white bits (blanket spotted appaloosa). Started to clear up very quickly. It was like magic so yes I think it probably is the milk thistle.
Click to expand...

I feed my Appy it in the spring too when he gets skin issues, seems to sort it out. If I ever think he needs a ‘boost’ I’ll add some to his feed for a few weeks.
 
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