Nutritional Supplement

SAMe is used in the body for many important functions, such as brain, heart, hormone, antioxidant, detoxifying, and other metabolic functions. It is a commonly used supplement to treat liver disease in pets, especially cats and dogs.
SAMe has been used to treat liver disease, osteoarthritis, age-related behavior changes, and other cognitive and nerve disorders in mammals. In humans, it has been used for depression, autism, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord degeneration, inflammation, pain, osteoarthritis, sleeping problems, and liver disease.

SAM-e is short for S-Adenosylmethionine. SAM-e is created by the body from an essential amino acid called methionine. SAM-e for dogs is a dietary supplement that mimics the SAM-e that is naturally made by the body.
Through chemical processes in the body, SAM-e is converted into glutathione, which is known to have detoxifying and antioxidant effects on the liver. Glutathione supports the liver by aiding in detoxification, a critical task due to the fact that the liver is a dog's body's main organ of detoxification.
As such, the liver is at greater risk of becoming overloaded with toxic chemicals. Glutathione plays a protective role to liver cells that are exposed to toxins on a daily basis.
Normally, a healthy liver will produce adequate levels of SAM-e on its own. But if the liver is damaged or debilitated due to age or infirmity, lower than optimal levels of SAM-e occur. When this happens, it makes SAM-e supplementation beneficial to dogs with liver disease by supporting the repair, regeneration and overall health of liver cells.
SAM-e dog supplements also help promote healthy flow of bile and production of phospholipids, which are necessary for healthy cell membranes.

SAMe is a naturally occurring methyl donor that has strong antioxidant properties and has been shown to help aid healthy liver function. SAMe for dogs and cats is regarded among vets as safe for long-term use.
The liver plays an important role in the body and has a wide variety of functions, including filtering the blood from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body. Maintaining good liver health is vital for an animal's general health and recovery.
SAMe is short for S-Adenosylmethionine, created by the body from an essential amino acid called methionine. Through chemical processes in the body, SAMe is converted into glutathione, which is known to have detoxifying and antioxidant effects on the liver.
A healthy liver will produce adequate levels of SAMe on its own, but if the liver is damaged or debilitated in any way due to age or infirmity, lower than optimal levels of SAMe will occur.
Glutathione supports the liver by aiding in detoxification, a critical task due to the fact that the liver is an animal's main organ of detoxification. SAMe occurs naturally in dogs and when the liver is no longer producing enough it can be beneficial to add a SAMe liver supplement for pets.

Dogs who have liver disease may benefit from a liver support supplement, but not always. If your dog has been diagnosed with liver disease, they most likely have already been prescribed a liver supplement from your veterinarian. If not, check with your vet before giving your dog supplements. Other than liver disease, dogs who may benefit from liver supplements include:
Dogs who are being fed a homemade diet
Dogs with digestive issues
Dogs who have recently been on certain medications or regularly take medication
Senior dogs
Liver supplements can be an extraordinarily helpful tool for maintaining liver health in some dogs, but they aren't necessary for all dogs. In some cases, they can actually be harmful to certain dogs with existing medical conditions. In addition, liver supplements may interfere with prescription medications.
For these reasons, always talk to your vet before starting liver supplements to make sure you are doing the best thing for your dog's health.

There are also are a few things you should look for on a probiotic package label, for example:
List of specific probiotics in the product, including strain identification.
Out that there are several strains of beneficial gut bacteria, and each does something different. She cites a study in which scientists examined live microbes-Lactobacillus acidophilus-extracted from dog feces. On 97 strains, only 17 had probiotic activity, but they were not all the same. Some showed anti-inflammatory activity, while others were immune stimulants. She points out that more strains or different forms of bacteria are not necessarily better in probiotics, because they may work against one another. Of the studies conducted on how well probiotics work, she says, most have been done with single strains.
Guaranteed analysis of how many live bacteria there will be at the end of the shelf life
Some companies may say how many live bacteria are in the product at the point of manufacture, but by the time you purchase the product, all the probiotics may have died.

Your pet's gut is home to trillions of bacteria, just like yours. This thriving community within the digestive tract is called a microbiome.
The idea of living organisms making themselves at home inside your pet's body may be unsettling, but it's actually very natural, healthy, and necessary. You may already know these tiny organisms as probiotics.
These good bacteria keep your pet's gut healthy by maintaining balance inside the digestive system, sending food through the body, and making fundamental vitamins and nutrients.
However, as with any living thing, these bacteria need sustenance to keep them alive and functioning. That's where prebiotics come into play!
Prebiotics are a food source for the bacteria living in the gut. When they're broken down by the probiotics, fatty acids are formed that provide energy for colon cells, help regulate bowel movements, and much more.

The well-being of your pet's gut is essential for their overall health. If they're not getting the nutrients they need from their food, it will have negative effects on their immune system, which could quickly lead to illness.
The effectiveness of prebiotics and probiotics for pets and will recommend them for my patients that have:
Upset stomach
Diarrhea
Bad gas
Inconsistent or bad poops
Anxiety
Poor skin health
Recently underwent a course of antibiotics
Prebiotics and probiotics are usually recommended when your furry friend is feeling unwell, but they can also be given as an everyday supplement to stay one step ahead of those pesky illnesses.
By incorporating a prebiotic and probiotic supplement into your pet's everyday intake, you'll be helping their body maintain a healthy level of gut flora while improving digestion and support of the immune system.
If you believe that your pet could benefit from the use of prebiotics and probiotics, consult with your veterinarian first. In rare cases, these supplements could cause unwanted side effects like vomiting and diarrhea.
A vet will be able to help you decide if prebiotics and probiotics will be beneficial for your pet based on their unique health profile.

Is There a Difference Between Prebiotics and Probiotics for Dogs and Cats
The bacteria found in the digestive systems of dogs and cats are essentially the same, but certain bacteria are more beneficial to certain species than others.
Dogs greatly benefit from Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Strains of Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium are especially good for cats.
Whatever prebiotic or probiotic you decide to give your pet, check the label for the bacteria that will be most advantageous to them.
Most importantly, NEVER give your pet prebiotics and probiotics formulated for humans. Our digestive systems require a different amount of bacteria than those of our pets, and giving them our own supplements may cause stomach upsets.

Before giving your dog a probiotic, here are some things to think about.
Your dog's health is an indicator. If your dog is healthy, they may not need a probiotic. A vet will usually prescribe a probiotic if there's a problem with your dog's gut or digestion. This is usually caused by illness or stress.
Diet also plays a big role. Research shows that dogs who eat a diet high in carbohydrates may not have healthy microbiomes. Changing your dog's food and adding more protein could help. Your vet can help you find the right food for your dog.
There are different strains of probiotics. Probiotics differ in the types and amounts of bacteria strains they contain. Some of the bacteria commonly found in probiotics and the gut include:
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium breve
Enterococcus faecium
Not all probiotics are made the same and some don't have the strains your dog may need. It's important to talk with your vet and read labels to make sure you're giving the right bacteria to your dog.
Probiotics are sensitive to temperature, air, and moisture. Probiotics are living things that have been adapted to living in the GI tract. Exposure to air, temperature and moisture extremes for long periods of time can kill the microbes inside and render the product useless. This means they may need to be kept in the fridge.
Check the expiration date. Make sure to check the use-by date on the probiotic you're buying. The use-by date tells you how long the bacteria are guaranteed to be alive and useful. Probiotics used after the expiration date probably won't work as well.