If rapid veterinary intervention is not sought immediately even a small amount of gum—as few as a two or three sticks—that contains the sweetener Xylitol can kill a fifteen-pound dog. Major damage can occur within as few as thirty minutes to an hour of consumption. Loss of coordination, depression, seizures, and collapse can manifest in a very short time.
Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in small quantities in many fruits and vegetables and in larger concentrations in birch, its main source. First discovered in Finland in the 19th century, scientists throughout Europe found it to be an almost ideal sugar substitute safe for diabetics because of its lack of effect to insulin levels.
In time, it became more widely used throughout the world and used in chewing gum, mints, and in a granulated form that looks similar to table sugar.
Studies have shown that chewing gum containing Xylitol—brands that include Orbit, Trident, Extra, among others—may actually aid in the prevention of dental cavities and repair minor ones. It also bears out that this substance neutralizes the bacteria that damage teeth in humans.
Not only is it a safe alternative to sugar (sucrose) for human diabetics, it causes neither hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) nor hypoglycemic reactions making. It has also has shown evidence of an ability to prevent osteoporosis by improving bone density in people.
Alhough a versatile cure and preventative for many maladies that ail humans, for dogs— for reasons unknown—it is completely another story.
Dogs, which are likely to have a sweet tooth in addition to good noses, find this substance irresistible and will ferret it out, and eat it. (Little is known about Xylitol’s effect on cats mainly because, in general, they are not as attracted to sweets as are dogs.)
Once you are aware that your dog has ingested it, contact your vet. He or she may recommend that you induce vomiting with fresh hydrogen peroxide. However, some vets may not advise this due to the possibility that the dog could aspirate the vomit and choke. Get your dog to the clinic or animal hospital immediately. The vet will likely monitor your dog’s blood sugar hourly to measure any drop. Intravenous fluids will be administered to flush out the dog’s system, and your dog will likely be kept on an IV for at least 12 to 24 hours.
It is not just raisins, chocolate, and grapes that can trigger organ failure in dogs. Along with
- Onions (can cause a form of anemia)
- Fat trimmings (can cause pancreatitis)
- Yeast dough (can lead to rupture of the stomach and intestines)
- Macadamia nuts (contains an unknown toxin that can affect the digestive and nervous systems)
- Mushrooms (contain substances which may affect multiple systems in the body causing shock that may result in death)
- Raw salmon (may contain parasite that causes many symptoms and results in death),
make sure you add any products that contain Xylitol to yout list of foods that endanger dogs.
