Never Never Land-Xylitol Poisoning In Dogs #DrDonDeForge #SilverSandsVeterinary

Donald H. DeForge, VMD

Silver Sands Veterinary

Milford Veterinary Hospital

17 Seemans Lane

Milford, CT 06460

P-203-877-3221

E-Mail DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com

DonDeForge100@gmail.com

www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com

NEVER NEVER LAND

It might be miles beyond the moon,

Or right there where you stand.
Just keep an open mind,
And then suddenly you'll find
Never Never Land.

You'll have a treasure if you stay there,
More precious far than gold.
For once you have found your way there,
You can never, never grow old.

And that's my home where dreams are born,
And time is never planned.
Just think of lovely things.
And your heart will fly on wings,
Forever in Never Never Land.

Xylitol-A Hidden Danger to Dogs
Adapted from the ASPCA Poison Control Center
Dr. Don DeForge

Xylitol is a sweetener that is most commonly found in food products but can be found in other consumer goods as well.  While xylitol consumption can be dangerous for your dog, it does not cause problems in humans or cats!  It is not understood why it is species specific.  In dogs, it excessively stimulates insulin release.  Severe low blood sugar can occur as early as 30 minutes after ingestion and up to 12 hours after ingestion.

It is a popular ingredient in human tooth paste; chewing gum; and mouthwashes because it inhibits Stretococcus bacteria accumulation in the mouth thereby decreasing plaque formation.  It increases the deposition of calcium and phosphate salts into dental enamel by alkalinizing the saliva.

Xylitol has become popular as a sugar substitute for human consumption.

You can find it in gum; sugar free candy; weight loss medicines; in many over the counter non-prescription items; and baking products.  It can be added to many other food items on the grocery store shelves.  Read labels carefully and do not give a Xylitol containing product to your dog.

Why is xylitol so serious for dogs?

In dogs, xylitol causes low blood sugar and liver injury. Signs of low blood sugar include weakness, unsteadiness, shaking and (if it goes untreated) seizures. While low blood sugar can occur very quickly—as soon as 30 minutes after ingestion—it can take up to 12 hours for symptoms to appear after ingestion.  Your veterinarian or ER Doctor at one of the local 24/7 ER Centers will advise if your pet should be admitted for aggressive critical care treatment with fluid therapy; blood sugar and liver value monitoring; and/or administration of liver protectants. When in doubt about how much has been ingested precautionary aggressive treatment at your LDVM's hospital or a 24/7 Animal ER Center is warranted.

Recent reports show that Xylitol can cause liver necrosis in dogs. This will occur within 72 hours of ingestion.   The toxic dosage of ingested Xylitol in dogs is 0.1 to 0.5 g/kg.  Call the ASPCA Poison Control Center if your dog has ingested the Xylitol so that they can perform the calculations to see if a toxic dose has been ingested.

Signs of liver injury may include a decrease in appetite, lethargy, yellowing of the skin as well as vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms indicating liver injury in your dog may not be seen for two or three days after ingestion.

Xylitol has many faces:

Unfortunately xylitol can be found in many commonly purchased goods. While gum or food items are the most common, you can also find the ingredient in:

• Medications
• Vitamins
• Personal items such as baby wipes, diapers, sunscreen, makeup, and lip balm
• Dental health products such as toothpaste, dental floss, breath fresheners, mouth wash and  mints 

Some food items that may contain xylitol include:

• Drink powder
• Pudding
• Candy
• Chocolate
• Baked items
• Pancake syrup
• Ketchup and barbecue sauce. 

How do you keep your pet safe?

If your pet got into something,  first check the ingredient label on the product. If the ingested item contains xylitol and you notice any abnormal behavior from your pet, it is best to go to your local veterinary clinic or 24/7 Animal ER Center immediately. 

A veterinarian will likely first check your dog’s blood sugar and liver enzymes to see if they are abnormal. 

If your dog does have low blood sugar, your vet may give a source of sugar (dextrose) IV to bring their sugar levels back up to avoid any serious complications.

If your pet got into something but is still acting normal, you should still call APCC so they can determine if the amount of xylitol ingested is dangerous to your pet’s health. The amount of xylitol found in different products—even different flavors of gum—can vary widely, so having information about the item ingested, how much was ingested and knowing your pet’s weight is important.

  

To help keep your pets safe:

• When purchasing a new item, check the ingredient list for xylitol.  If you have a pet that is prone to getting into things or a mischievous new puppy, it may be best to avoid bringing that particular item into your home. If you do bring home products containing xylitol, make sure to keep them in a safe place out of paws’ reach.
• Make sure to keep items like purses or backpacks off the floor so that there is less opportunity for a nosy pet to find out what’s inside.
• When taking medications, consider doing so in a room with a door so you can keep your pets out in case something drops. That way you can pick up the dropped medication before your pet can.
• Get lock lids for all in and outside garbage containers that are labeled pet proof!

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to any 

poisonous substances, contact your veterinarian or

call Animal Poison Control Center at 

888-426-4435 immediately.