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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