Ron Hines DVM PhD

Many pet owners use food products that contain the sugar substitute, xylitol with out knowing it. It occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and other plant products but not in amouts that are dangerous to pets.. Xylitol is added to commercial edible products because it contains less calories per gram than table sugar and causes less blood sugar swing in diabetics than table sugar.

As of the writing, some popular products containing xylitol sold in the United States are Hershey's Ice Cube Gum, Carefree Koolerz, Trident gum and and Orbit sugar-free gum. But many more products contain varying amount of this ingredient - including some brands of cookies, breads, other baked goods and toothpaste. Baked good seem to be the greatest threat to dogs because they are large and , when sweetened with xylitol, they may contain large enogh amounts of xylitol to be toxic. But even a few chewing gum pieces in small dogs can cause probems. In Europe, most brands of chewing gum contain this sugar substitute.

The severity of the problem depends on the amount of xylitol consumed in proportion to the dog's body weight. We know little about the chemical's effect on cats. Signs can occur as soon as thirty minutes after ingestion, when large amounts were consumed, to a half a day later when only small amounts were eaten. The dog will appear ill at ease. It may vomit and become weak, unresponsive or wobbly. It may develop seizures that progress to coma and death. These signs are due to a sudden drop in the pet's blood sugar level. People are not at risk from eating xylitol. This is because our bodies are not fooled into thinking that the xylitol is table sugar and we absorb only a small portion of the xylitol we consume. Unfortunately dog's absorb most of it and, mistaking it for sugar, halt the production of blood sugar. The sudden increase in blood insulin and resultant drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is the cause of the signs we see.

If you suspect that you pet has consumed significant amounts of xylitol call your veterinarian immediately for advice. If you live within a 15-minute drive of your veterinarian, take the pet there immediately or to an emergency center if after hours. If there will be a lengthy time delay, your vet may suggest that you induce vomiting by administering up to a teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide per ten pounds body weight up to a limit of three teaspoons-full. Some authorities suggest a tablespoon full of the diluted solution for every ten pounds of body weight.. It can be repeated in ten minutes if the first dose was ineffective. I have not found Ipicac to be effective. Causing your pet to vomit is not likely to help if over two hours have passed since the xylitol was consumed. one teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. Do not use the strong hydrogen peroxide that comes wit h hair coloring solution.

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITTING IN A WEAKENED, DISORIENTED OR COMATOSE DOG OR IF CONVULSIONS, SEIZURES SHOCK OR LETHARGY IS OCCURING.because dogs that are not fully in control of their swallowing reflexes can choke on their own vomit. It is also advisable to give the pet oral sugar solution or corn syrup if their will be a delay in reaching a veterinarian. The veterinarian will probably test the pet's blood sugar level and begin intravenous glucose solution if blood sugar level is critically low. If too much time has not passed, he/she may administer an agent in an attempt to have the dog vomit up what it ate. If blood tests show that the pet has developed low potassium levels, potassium may also be given intravenously.

Veterinarians can effectively manage low blood sugar. However, a significant number of dogs poisoned by xylitol develop sudden liver failure and blood clotting problems.Some of these dogs have been saved by supportive care and blood plasma transfusions. But many have not survived.