Methionine/SAMe

[Marcy and Cocoa]

Karen, F, Calla & Luca, I apologize in advance for the long post but am hoping for guidance. In searching old posts for information on Methionine/SAMe I found this interchange in 2011

“Permalink Reply by F, Calla & Luca on January 29, 2011 at 7:37am
I did look up Ammonil. There are cautions against using it in dogs with liver or kidney problems. It also can cause acidosis , which can be very serious. Taking Butter to the vet is absolutley a good idea.
▶ Reply
Permalink Reply by Karen and Jackdoodle on January 29, 2011 at 8:34am
It's the amino acid methionine. As F said, it should not be used in animals with any history of renal failure, or pancreatic or liver disease. I hope the vet can give you an answer and help Butter feel better. Will be keeping paws & fingers crossed and watching for an update.”

My close to 10 year old, healthy 60lb doodle just had “senior” blood work and has elevated liver enzymes which she has had her entire life. I took her to a specialist years ago and was told that she was fine. Basically, while trying to be polite, they told me that they see a far wider sampling than the local vets and have a far wider tolerance for what is “normal.” Fast forward about 7 healthy years to the current blood tests which show more or less the same levels as before - just a bit higher. The local vet suggested Methionine/SAMe as a “liver support” supplement. It would seem in direct contradiction to your advice above, and honestly, from what I have read here over the years, I think you are probably far more knowledgeable on these subjects than most local vets. Maybe you can update me with your thoughts? Thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

What your vets are recommending is S-adenosylmethionine, which is a bit different from the DL-Methionine that was involved in the discussion you linked. 

S-adenosylmethionine is the main ingredient in Denamarin, which also contains silybin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, which has long been used to manage liver disease in humans as well as dogs. I have several friends here whose older dogs are on Denamarin for elevated liver enzymes.
There is also a liver support product called Marin which is made by the same company that makes Demamarin but is primarily the silybin (milk thistle) without the S-adenosylmethionine.,You might ask your vet about that one. If my dog was only showing slightly elevated numbers with no actual liver disease, I might try that one first.
It's frustrating when the vets don;lt explain things in a way that is clear-cut and easier to understand. 

[Marcy and Cocoa]

Thank  you!  It is frustrating - I think they don't explain clearly because they don't understand clearly.  I don't have to tell you that at least the local vets do not seem to be very well versed in anything outside of the very ordinary, particularly as regards anything related to nutrition.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Funny that this came up now. Calla had slight liver enzyme elevations at her last dental a couple of months ago and milk thistle was recommended. Follow up the other day showed a slight increase in liver enzymes since last time. This time I saw my own vet and she said we might add SAMe. She may also have an ultrasound done. Among things she mentioned was liver problems per se, Cushing’s disease etc. I was about to leave town for a few days, I away now,  and I am going to have to discuss this further with the vet. Meanwhile Calla is showing no symptoms of anything.

[Marcy and Cocoa]

When this first happened with Cocoa she was about 3 and my local vet completely panicked me with all sorts of dire possibilities.  After I brought her to the specialty internist and did an ultrasound, MRI, more blood work at a couple of intervals, etc., they told me that this is just how she rolls!  She is now 10 and has never had any symptoms or issues.  It sounds like the supplement as Karen describes is harmless so I might go ahead with it.  On the other hand, I hate to introduce anything for no purpose ...

 Anyway, don't worry too much and of course, go beyond your local vet if you aren't comfortable.

 Best,

Marcy

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Curious- did you start the milk thistle and the followup showed a slight increase after implementing it? Or, were you holding off? Bob's liver enzymes were slightly elevated at his dental, too, and I'm thinking of trying it for him. Several years ago I personally took mild thistle and had dramatic results...