Yoghurt Pot Lickers Beware Milly Jenning who reads all the Dog World breed notes has asked me to put this warning on the news page Artificial Sweetener Xylitol used in Yoghurt & Sugar free Gum amongst other foods is very poisonous to dogs . Xylitol poisoning Published on March 20, 2012
The artificial sweetener xylitol is very toxic to dogs. Look after your sugar-free chewing gum carefully. Xylitol is a sweetener which is often used in sugarless products. It is also frequently found in oral care products as it seems to have some benefits for oral care in people. Items containing xylitol include: _sugarless chewing gum _sugarless candy _mouthwashes and other oral care products _oral pharmaceuticals, such as certain types of vitamin supplements _sweeteners packaged for use in the kitchen Xylitol appears to be relatively safe for people but is metabolized much differently in dogs, causing a rush og Insulin to be released which causes a fatal crash in blood sugar. Symptoms of Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs When ingested by a dog, xylitol causes a rapid decrease in blood glucose or blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia. Xylitol has also been implicated as a cause of liver damage in dogs, a longer term finding. Often the first signs seen in dogs are attributable to hypoglycemia and symptoms may include: _weakness _lethargy _depression _muscle tremors _seizures _vomiting _diarrhea _lack of appetite _bleeding and anemia _increased thirst _increase in urination _bloody or black-colored feces Symptoms of xylitol toxicity can occur as little as 30 minutes after ingestion of the xylitol-containing product. Treatment of Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs Immediate treatment is needed for dogs consuming xylitol-containing products. Contact your vet immediately if your dog ingests any product containing xylitol. Your veterinarian may advise that you induce your dog to vomit before transporting him to the surgery or may simply tell you to bring your dog to the surgery immediately. If toxic doses of xylitol have been consumed by your dog and poisoning is considered likely, your dog will likely need to be hospitalized for monitoring and supportive care. Unfortunately, at the current time, there is no antidote to xylitol available. Prognosis for Dogs Poisoned with Xylitol Xylitol can act as a poison in very small dosages. Even one stick of sugarless chewing gum which contains xylitol can be a fatal poison for a small dog. Prognosis for your dog will depend on how much of the xylitol was consumed, the size and weight of your dog, your dog’s physical condition prior to the xylitol poisoning and whether induction of vomiting was successful in removing xylitol from the stomach before absorption could occur. Xylitol poisoning is frequently fatal. Prevention of Xylitol Poisoning Dog owners may prefer not to keep xylitol-containing products in their home. If kept, these products need to be stored in a location where pets have no access to them Never feed your dog any foods or beverages or chewing gums containing xylitol. Do not underestimate the extent of your dog’s desire for sweets. Many dogs will raid the trash or surf the kitchen countertops and tables in search of food items, including products containing xylitol. Pet Products Containing Xylitol There are a few pet products on the market which contain xylitol in low dosages. These products are often used as “mouthwashes” for pets. Aquadent is a good example. These pet-labeled xylitol-containing products are safe to use for your dog, assuming that you follow the label directions very carefully.
Parkside Veterinary Group - Xylitol poisoning - Parkside Vets News http://www.parksidevets.com/news/article/37/Xylitol-poisoning.html
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