Xylitol and dogs

[Spyglass Sally]

I ran across this article about xylitol and dogs and thought I'd pass it on. I don't give Buddy candy or anything, but xylitol is in other things and sometimes your dog just gets into something, as we all know. I wasn't aware that xylitol was such a problem.

Excerpt from the article:

For some reason, it increases the blood insulin level in canines, which results in a corresponding decrease in blood sugar.

Veterinarian Dr. Eric Dunayer with the Animal Poison Control Center says problems can develop within thirty minutes of ingestion of xylitol, and can include depression, vomiting, loss of coordination and seizures, and possibly even liver failure.

So how much xylitol does it take to make a dog sick?

No one is sure exactly what the threshold is, but hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, has developed in doses as low as 20mg in a fifty-pound dog.

To put that in perspective, one piece of sugar-free gum may contain as much as two grams of xylitol, or one hundred times the amount shown to cause problems in that fifty-pound dog.

There is no antidote for xylitol, but if you know your pet has eaten something containing the sweetner very recently, the best approach is to induce vomiting using a three percent hydrogen peroxide solution.

Monitor your dog very closely. If you see any problems, call your veterinarian immediately. Prompt treatment could save your pet's life.

[Doreen]

Thanks Sally !