Post by: Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, DACVIM Dog Toxins & PoisonsFor some folks, the start of a new year is a catalyst to lose weight and this may mean switching from plain old sugar to lower calorie sweeteners. Xylitol is one such sugar substitute that is safe for human consumption, but is toxic for dogs. In fact, it can be deadly.
Additionally, compared to sugar, it causes very little insulin release in people and insulin is not required for it to be put to use as an energy source for the body. Lastly, xylitol has been shown to prevent mouth bacteria from producing acids that damage the surfaces of the teeth. For this reason, xylitol is commonly included in toothpastes, sugar-free gum, and other oral care products.
Xylitol Toxicity in dogs After a dog consumes a significant amount of xylitol, there is a massive release of insulin from the pancreas. This, in turn, results in a dangerously low blood sugar level and symptoms such as weakness, trembling, seizures, collapse, and even death. At higher dosages, xylitol can cause massive liver destruction (known as necrosis) in which large numbers of liver cells die abruptly. This produces an acute health crisis and, in many cases, death. Vomiting is often the first symptom of xylitol toxicity. Other symptoms related to the low blood sugar level develop within 30 minutes to 12 hours following consumption. When xylitol-induced liver damage occurs, blood liver enzyme values typically begin increasing within 12 to 24 hours. The dose of xylitol considered to be toxic for dogs is 0.1 gram or more of xylitol per kg of the dog’s body weight. What about cats and xylitol? While xylitol ingestion in cats does cause a drop in blood sugar, this rarely happens. This is because, unlike dogs, most kitties have very discriminating palates- they don’t choose to eat products containing xylitol.
The prognosis for xylitol toxicity varies and depends on how promptly the dog receives treatment as well as the amount of xylitol that was consumed.
Believe it or not, some products advertised specifically for dogs, such as toothpaste, contain small amounts of xylitol! What are these manufacturers thinking?!
Not all product labels clearly state if they contain xylitol. If a label states only, “artificially sweetened,” presume that it contains xylitol. If you opt to use xylitol-containing products in your household, be sure to keep them completely out of your clever dog’s reach. What to do if your dog eats xylitol If you believe that your dog has just eaten (as in you just watched it happen) something containing xylitol, contact a veterinary hospital staff member right away. You might be advised to induce your dog to vomit at home. This is accomplished by forcing your dog to swallow hydrogen peroxide. If you’re not really sure when the xylitol was consumed (you’ve just returned home from work and the remains of sugar-free gum wrappers are decorating the couch), transport your dog to a nearby veterinary clinic or 24-hour emergency hospital right away. Be sure to take the label of the consumed product with you. Time is always of the essence when treating xylitol toxicity. Look around your house and see if you have any xylitol-containing products. What did you find? If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets. Resources
Reviewed by: Bill Saxon DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC
13 Comments
5/6/2020 02:24:26 am
Excellent, what a webpage it is! This webpage give valuable data to us, keep it up. Your blog provided us with precious in order to work with. Each & every tips of your post are overwhelming. Thanks a lot for sharing. If you ever asked manually "what is the best writing service you can find on the internet", I can propose you something I tried myself. It's Clazwork. The service has an expert team consists of only knowledgeable writers who know precisely how to do their job. You can contact them anytime you need and I can promise you that you won't regret.
Reply
8/18/2021 10:50:10 am
The youth in our country has never been as conscious about fashion as it has become in the current times. The culture in our country is changing by the day. People these days work in corporate offices that follow the culture of socialising. Corporate parties and social gatherings are thrown every now and then. People come dressed up in the best of their clothes in these parties in order to impress their colleagues and clients.
Reply
8/18/2021 10:50:26 am
The young lot especially takes out time to shop for fashionable outfits, watches, bags/ wallets and footwear to look their best not only during special events but even on a regular day.
Reply
6/14/2022 11:49:45 am
The impact of xylitol on insulin release differs significantly between species. Xylitol has little to no effect on insulin release or blood sugar levels in humans, rats, horses, and rhesus monkeys. Dogs, cats, cows, goats, bunnies, and baboons are all distinct in this regard. Xylitol poisoning is caused by a significant rise in insulin secretion and a reduction in blood sugar in these species.
Reply
12/28/2022 01:34:30 am
Nice blog about animal thanks for sharing this.
Reply
12/28/2022 02:50:12 am
Your Content seems very nice and wonderful to me i love to read blog also and keep share more posts like this.
Reply
12/28/2022 06:11:37 am
The content seems very interesting and i am happy to read your whole content thanks for sharing this.
Reply
1/11/2023 02:32:53 am
Big easy roofing roof replacement roofing
Reply
3/9/2023 08:25:11 am
All the things about popular xylitol products that can harm your dog. This article mentions and acts as such a moving trigger. It is an article worth applauding for based on its content. I am sure many people will come to read this in the future.
Reply
7/10/2023 06:23:16 am
The author emphasizes the prevalence of xylitol-containing products and urges dog owners to be vigilant in keeping the sweetener out of their pets' reach. Commenters' first-hand experiences and insights will definitely enrich the discussion and serve to raise pet owners' awareness of xylitol's risks.
Reply
5/7/2024 02:25:49 am
While practice is significant, it's additionally pivotal to give sufficient rest and recuperation time for pets. Keep away from overexertion, particularly in outrageous atmospheric conditions, and consider a lot of margin time.
Reply
7/28/2024 03:22:33 pm
I truly appreciate this post. Many thanks!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2023
Categories |