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Xylitol is a natural alcohol found in most plants, including fruits and vegetables. For years, it has been widely used as a sugar substitute, mostly in sugar-free chewing gum. It is also widely used in toothpaste, mints, floss, candy, chewable vitamins, and sugar-free baked goods. Now, certain brands of peanut butter have started adding xylitol. That's a problem because many of us love to give our dogs peanut butter and, according to VCA Hospitals, "Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs."
VCA Hospitals explains that in dogs (and other non-primates), xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream stimulating the pancreas to over release insulin. The excess insulin results in a "rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an effect that occurs within 10-60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycemia can be life-threatening." 
As little as 50 milligrams of xylitol per pound of dog can cause serious hypoglycemia. Higher doses can quickly lead to liver failure. According to VCA Hospitals, as little as 2 pieces of some common brands of gum cause severe hypoglycemia, and 10 pieces can cause liver failure in a 45 pound dog. The symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs usually start within a half hour of ingestion and include vomiting, weakness, lack of coordination, depression, lethargy, tremors, seizures and even coma.
To prevent xylitol poisoning, make sure you know if you have any products in your house containing xylitol and keep them out of reach of all your pets. Unfortunately, that means you need to carefully check the ingredient labels of everything, even your peanut butter. In particular, Nuts N More brand uses xylitol in several of its "butter" products. They refer to it as a "natural sweetener (birch xylitol)," but it is still xylitol and can kill your dog. Never use peanut butter containing xylitol to bake dog treats or to persuade your sweet pup to take meds. Watch out for a xylitol peanut butter pancake syrup and many other products listed here.
Talk with friends and family who make dog treats about the dangers of including xylitol sweetened peanut butter, and make sure you know what is in any home made treat before you feed it to your hounds. If you're reasonably handy in the kitchen, you can make your own peanut butter so you know what goes in it. When you have guests over, please make sure to store coats and purses potentially containing gum or breath mints behind closed doors.
If you think your pet is suffering from xylitol poisoning, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) immediately. Inducing vomiting can make hypoglycemia worse, so do not do so unless directed by a veterinarian. If possible, keep the wrapper of whatever you suspect the dog ate, and take it to the vet with you immediately.
Please share this information with everyone. Now that xylitol use has jumped from gum products to peanut butter, we don't know what will be next. Read and re-read ingredient labels. A manufacturer can change its ingredients at any time. If you come across more brands of peanut butter or other products commonly given to dogs that include xylitol, please let us know so that we can spread the word. |
THANKS TO GREYTHOUND GUARDIANS!
GALT recently received a grant from Greythound Guardians. Each year, Greythound Guardians hosts Sandy Paws-Greyt Fun in the Sun, a 3 day event for Greyhound enthusiasts, at Jekyll Island, GA. Funds raised from this event are donated to greyhound adoption groups and other animal welfare organizations! GALT is very happy to be a recipient again this year! You can learn more about their work and the event here. |
THE DEADLINE FOR 2016 CALENDAR PHOTO SUBMISSIONS IS AUGUST 16!
 It's time to start submitting your photos for the 2016 calendar! Photo entry for the calendar is for Members of GALT and their hounds and GALT fosters. It doesn't matter where you adopted your greyhound, but you must be a member of GALT for calendar entry.
The best rule of thumb for images large enough to go to print is to set your digital camera to the largest format available. Somewhere in the range of 8" X 10" at 300 dpi/ppi, or 1280 X 960 ppi or above is ideal. 640 X 480 ppi is the absolute lowest resolution that can be used. If your file is only 100 KB to 20 KB, it's way too small.
Over the last few years, smart phone cameras have greatly improved and are capable of large format photos. Lighting and crisp detail can still be a challenge, however. JPEG, TIFF, or BMP are acceptable formats. If you've done any photo editing yourself, please send a copy of the original too. If photos are very large, you're welcome to send them one or two at a time. Now for the tough part: please limit the number of photos you send to six. The calendar is for greyhounds, large sighthounds and sighthound mixes only; no other pets, babies or people in the photos please. Although we tend to give higher priority to those who didn't make the calendar the previous year, please don't let that discourage anyone from sending photos, even if your greyhound got a large photo in 2015.
Email photos to melodymmc@me.com. Please include your name(s) with the dogs' names, and the word "calendar" in the subject!!! Visit our website for additional details. |
INTRODUCING NEW VENDOR AFFILIATIONS SUPPORTING GALT!
GALT is now a Paw Palettes affiliate! That means GALT receives a 30% donation when you purchase any Paw Palettes product from the Paw Palettes website. Visit their on-line gallery today via the GALT link to see the many breed specific original designs. Holiday shopping season is just around the corner, but why wait?
Monitor your dog's health and fitness with this great new vital sign monitoring collar and a portion of the purchase price will be donated to GALT. Talk with your vet about whether you might gain valuable insight into your pup's health challenges. Learn more at PetPace.com.
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GREYT STORE
Introducing Tritan Crystal Clear "glass" ware. This Tritan Crystal Clear plastic drinkware has the appearance of fine crystal but is patio & poolside safe, top-rack dishwasher safe, BPA free and much more durable than any standard acrylic glasses. Beautiful Greyhound Silhouette is etched into surface. For maximum clarity hand wash and dry with cloth or micro fiber cloth. (Paper towels will scratch.) Available in Mug, Red Wine, White Wine & Pilsner styles. Buy it today in the Greyt Store . |
INCOMING DOGS
Claude, young white & fawn male, stray
Rosa, 2-year-old black female, broken leg
Maddie,10-year-old white & brindle female, return
Brady, 11-year-old white & red male, return
Blu, 5-year-old blue brindle female, breeder
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GREYS IN BOARDING
If you have been considering fostering, or know someone who is considering fostering, now would be a great time to jump in! If you can help, please contact Jennifer Vilches at jennifer@vilches.org.
Mystic, Mooch, Lolly |
THIS WEEKEND'S MEET & GREETS
Saturday, June 13, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Three Dog Bakery Southlake
1251 E. Southlake Blvd #323 Southlake, TX
In Attendance: Sabi, Lil
Saturday, June 13, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
WOOF...Cool Stuff for Dogs
2001 Coit Rd Suite #160
Plano, TX Map
In Attendance: Icy, Toddy
Saturday, June 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Three Dog Bakery Plano
5960 West Parker Rd #228 Plano, TX Map
In Attendance: Marian, Galen
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RAINBOW BRIDGE
Chase, fka Ace, aka No Worries, GALT #761, April 12, 2003 - June 6, 2015
Beloved and cherished by Jennifer & Kevin Cooper.
Manny,aka Afleet Manny, GALT #1263, July 15, 2007 - June 8, 2015
Loved and missed by Zack & Julia Heath.
Rain, aka Rapido Rain, GALT #443 September 8, 2002 - May 16, 2015
Beloved and cherished by Helen Touhy.
If your hound has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, please let us know by sending a note to info@galtx.org. |
If you have an article to submit for publication, a suggestion, or a "greyt" story, please email galt.news@gmail.com.
If you have moved or need to update your contact information since you adopted your GALT greyhound, please email info@greyhoundadoptiontx.org.
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Greyhound Adoption League of Texas, Inc. 3400 Carlisle St #310, Dallas, Texas 75204 972.503.GALT info@greyhoundadoptiontx.org
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