? Denamarin Opinions

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shelaghc

shelaghc

Member Since 2017
My vet was doing some research about pancreatitis for Jester (with no urging from me) and emailed me that he was recommending and prescribing Denamarin.

He gave me some kind of discount (cost was $30) to help with Jester's weight loss issues.

I'm supposed to give Jester one pill daily on an empty stomach starting tomorrow morning with a one month supply.

The vet's email to me was this:
Just read an article about the pancreatitis
Issue in cats and the other organ systems involved
It is quite complex and requires an ultrasound and biopsies to confirm and differentiate the conditions.
As long as the appetite is ok the recommendation is to use a product called sam e
Will have the office get some ready for you at a discount
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FYI - "sam e" is shorthand for the generic name "S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)."

From PetMeds:
Denamarin Tablets are a nutritional supplement containing the antioxidant Silybin used to improve your pet's liver function by increasing liver glutathione levels. The tablets come in three different strengths; for cats and small dogs, for medium dogs, or for large dogs.
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Any thoughts and/or opinions to share with me before the first pill?
 
We just bought a box of Denemarin for Grandpa. The box suggested fasting overnight and giving it one hour before a meal. I gave the first one super early, waited an hour and fed him then went back to sleep. I found the pill later in the bedcovers. The next day we gave it early and that evening after 6pm he vomited. The whole pill came back up 12 hours after giving it. I read not to cut or crush the pills.

Grandpa has some pretty serious issues so we don't know how well his body is processing anything so we haven't given him any more so far. I have read really good things. I'l be interested in your thoughts after you start.
 
shelaghc said:
My vet was doing some research about pancreatitis for Jester (with no urging from me) and emailed me that he was recommending and prescribing Denamarin.
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shelaghc said:
Any thoughts and/or opinions to share with me before the first pill?
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Jill & Alex (GA) said:
Beck and Grandpa is correct. They say not to cut or crush the pills or they won't be as effective. It is such a small pill. I was able to pill Alex easily and then follow with 5 - 6 mL water via oral syringe.
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Denamarin is a wonderful thing that helped my Ducia a lot! I have only good things to say about it.
When we were giving Den to Ducia it was via Esophageal feeding tube so we had to crush it to a powder, mix with food and water and administer 1 x 24 h. The pill was rather large and was blue coated. I read about not breaking the pill but it was not our case.
It worked all the same tho.
You can see the blood work in Ducia's SS Lab tab - all liver values improved from Feb 2017 tp Apr 2017, P-titis ruled out.
$30 a pack sounds good. I think we paid slightly more but it was from an expensive ER clinic. Local vets charge less (a little less).
@shelaghc @Jill & Alex (GA) @Beck and Grandpa
 
I’m sorry to just get to you now when you tagged me a few weeks ago about pancreatitis. I had a family emergency and am just back home now.

I’ve also used Denamarin and it does need to be given on an empty stomach at least an hour before a meal and, as Jill said, it shouldn’t be crushed. I’m really glad it worked for Ducia that way but if you don’t have to give it that way, I’d try and give it as prescribed.

I agree with your vet that it really takes an ultrasound to see what is going on. Gracie’s specfPL was always high but she never had pancreatitis and her pancreas, on US, was beautifully normal. It was her liver enzymes that were elevated that caused us to do all the testing. As it all ended up, it wasn’t even her liver or her pancreas that was the issue....it was the intestines. The digestive organs are all so closely interrelated that impacts to one can certainly cause elevations in levels in the others.

Please tag me if I can provide any other info.
 
It's helped my Fluffy's liver no end. Her blood work and bowels are now great and she's putting on weight but she is not diabetic.
 
Marje and Gracie said:
I’m sorry to just get to you now when you tagged me a few weeks ago about pancreatitis. I had a family emergency and am just back home now.
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I completely understand. No apologies necessary.

Marje and Gracie said:
I’ve also used Denamarin and it does need to be given on an empty stomach at least an hour before a meal and, as Jill said, it shouldn’t be crushed. I’m really glad it worked for Ducia that way but if you don’t have to give it that way, I’d try and give it as prescribed.
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The pill is *so* big I'm afraid it will choke my poor boy. He's not a happy pill taker anyway and I have to use one of those pill "guns" no matter what along with holding him in something to keep him still. He's going to wind up hating me with that 30 day prescription. :-(

On top of that, I'm *not* a morning person. I don't have to be at work until 8:30AM and only live about fifteen minutes away. But have to get up at 6:15AM because it takes so long to get Jester to eat enough.

Now it'll be more like 5:30AM and I'm going to be falling asleep at work......
 
shelaghc said:
I completely understand. No apologies necessary.


The pill is *so* big I'm afraid it will choke my poor boy. He's not a happy pill taker anyway and I have to use one of those pill "guns" no matter what along with holding him in something to keep him still. He's going to wind up hating me with that 30 day prescription. :-(

On top of that, I'm *not* a morning person. I don't have to be at work until 8:30AM and only live about fifteen minutes away. But have to get up at 6:15AM because it takes so long to get Jester to eat enough.

Now it'll be more like 5:30AM and I'm going to be falling asleep at work......
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I haven't used it but does it have to given in the morning? Can you give an hour before evening meal or bedtime if not fed overnight?
 
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Olive & Paula said:
I used it but does it have to given in the morning? Can you give an hour before evening meal or bedtime if not fed overnight?
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My evening schedule varies enough that evenings are just not feasible. Some evenings I don't get home until around 7:00PM; others I'm only home for an hour or so before leaving for several hours.

And I'm doing all of this on my own so I have no one to sub. Mornings are the only option.
 
I have been using denamarin since last october , as both my cats developed extremely (undiagnosed) high liver enzymes. It has seemed to have helped, and it isn't supposed to do any harm. I could not follow the strict empty stomach overnight recommendation. I give in the evenings, i wrap the pill in something like a pill pocket, and follow the give food one hour later recco. I'll be taking in my cat soon for blood tests to see if it is still working on her.

Initially they were on two pills denamarin and destolit. Destolit I believe is supposed to help with bile flow.

Hope this helps. Good luck!
 
Yes, for my non diabetic cat it has been ongoing, yuki's levels improved so she no longer gets it. However, the underlying problem could not be diagnosed in their case.
 
shelaghc said:
How soon after starting did either of you start to see a difference? With a 30 day supply, I'm guessing it might take a while?
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I didn’t really see a big difference so I switched to milk thistle. Although, it’s possible it kept things from getting worse.
 
The pill is *so* big I'm afraid it will choke my poor boy. He's not a happy pill taker anyway and I have to use one of those pill "guns" no matter what along with holding him in something to keep him still. He's going to wind up hating me with that 30 day prescription. :-(
Hi, this is the method I follow for denamarin, which I found to be less stressful for cats and me. I use Japanese rice cake called mochi, and then roll it in a little homecooked sardines. Do check with your vet though before using. I haven't had to give yuki (diabetic) the denamarin since her diabetes diagnosis. Link:

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I just gave Grandpa his pill. I used a pill pocket treat, so I hope that little bit of food doesn't counteract the empty stomach guideline.
 
Update: Grandpa vomited his breakfast just now so we are going to discontinue the Denemarin. He had episodes of vomiting before we started this med, so it likely is not the culprit, but we want to simplify what is on his stomach.

This is what we bought. Others may know more about what's available. We just follow the instructions on the back of the box and give one pill first thing in the morning an hour before breakfast. https://www.chewy.com/nutramax-dena...nTk8gnelOMCTkBvSERAjt-9Q2A2-890hoCtFIQAvD_BwE
 
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shelaghc said:
How soon after starting did either of you start to see a difference? With a 30 day supply, I'm guessing it might take a while?
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Hi, took yuki to vet last week for bloods, her ALT had rocketed up. She is now back on denamarin. So I think denamarin had been helping my cats.
 
Arathi & Yuki said:
Hi, took yuki to vet last week for bloods, her ALT had rocketed up. She is now back on denamarin. So I think denamarin had been helping my cats.
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I ordered Denamarin from Chewy for $25.00. It is for one of my civvies that has had a real bad year, he has anemia, high white blood count and his liver enzymes had increased from April. I ordered the denamarin for him and one vet wanted him to be put on Metacam, because he ruptured a tendon or ligament in his left leg. His left leg is useless and since he has been down so much he is treating his right leg, like he does his left. I am a little afraid of anti-inflammatory's in cats, even though I have used Metacam before on Buddy.
 
shelaghc said:
I completely understand. No apologies necessary.


The pill is *so* big I'm afraid it will choke my poor boy. He's not a happy pill taker anyway and I have to use one of those pill "guns" no matter what along with holding him in something to keep him still. He's going to wind up hating me with that 30 day prescription. :-(

On top of that, I'm *not* a morning person. I don't have to be at work until 8:30AM and only live about fifteen minutes away. But have to get up at 6:15AM because it takes so long to get Jester to eat enough.

Now it'll be more like 5:30AM and I'm going to be falling asleep at work......
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You can get pills for a small dog or cat from Chewy and they are small.
 
Teresa & Buddy said:
I ordered Denamarin from Chewy for $25.00. It is for one of my civvies that has had a real bad year, he has anemia, high white blood count and his liver enzymes had increased from April. I ordered the denamarin for him and one vet wanted him to be put on Metacam, because he ruptured a tendon or ligament in his left leg. His left leg is useless and since he has been down so much he is treating his right leg, like he does his left. I am a little afraid of anti-inflammatory's in cats, even though I have used Metacam before on Buddy.
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Poor guy, he is having such a tough time. My vet was reluctant about giving metacam due to the elevated ALT. Would you have to give it for an extended time? I guess ask your vet about potential side effects, given the higher ALT values. Hopefully the denamarin will help support the liver.
 
Arathi & Yuki said:
Poor guy, he is having such a tough time. My vet was reluctant about giving metacam due to the elevated ALT. Would you have to give it for an extended time? I guess ask your vet about potential side effects, given the higher ALT values. Hopefully the denamarin will help support the liver.
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I don't think he would let him take it for very long. Buddy, my diabetic kitty took it for a while but not very long.
 
shelaghc said:
@Marje and Gracie - is Milk thistle any simpler to give?
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Unfortunately, I no longer have the milk thistle I used that I got from my vet as it expired. Otherwise, I’d link it but I don’t even remember which one it was. However, yes, it was easy to give as it was liquid. Gracie always got a little liquid concoction of supplements and I just put it in there and syringed it.
 
Marje and Gracie said:
Unfortunately, I no longer have the milk thistle I used that I got from my vet as it expired. Otherwise, I’d link it but I don’t even remember which one it was. However, yes, it was easy to give as it was liquid. Gracie always got a little liquid concoction of supplements and I just put it in there and syringed it.
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Do you think it worked better than the Denamarin?
 
Our girl has been on denamarin daily since the end of April, after a bout of pancreatitis and DKA. Her numbers have improved immensely, but not sure if that would have happened without the pills either. The vet still wants her on it for now, since it really isn't a risk of harm. We've skipped it a few times and she's seemed fine without it as well. So we are hoping we can transition her off of it, since she isn't a fan of being pilled.
 
How long did you try on Denamarin before switching?
And what form is milk thistle? Pill or powder or liquid?
 
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