11/03/2024
Good to know!!
The beloved family dog was rushed into my clinic in the arms of the father as he ran into the building. The dog was already seizing. The father said the dog was completely normal, then acted a little weird and, within 20 minutes, collapsed. Seizures began while in transit to the vet clinic. It was ‘all-hands-on-deck’ as we assessed. His vitals began to fade---we were losing him.
Then the wife said, “he was fine/rambunctious and had just ripped up my purse”. My eyes widened as I asked, “Was there sugar-free gum/candy in your purse”? The answer was yes. I knew immediately this was XYLITOL POISONING. We didn’t have long to save him—I reached for the dextrose (a type of sugar) to begin treatment of severe HYPOGLYCEMIA (low sugar) and began rapid treatment. He came back from the dead, but his troubles were far from over…next problem was the likely DESTRUCTION OF HIS LIVER. After 5 days of intensive care and diagnostic monitoring, the critically ill patient began to turn the corner. He eventually went home as a happy, bouncing Lab. Most do not make it.
In dogs (not cats), the pancreas confuses xylitol with real sugar and releases insulin to store the “sugar.” Even worse, the canine pancreas releases 3-7 times the amount of insulin it would release to address a similar amount of sugar. Blood sugar levels rapidly plummet, resulting in weakness, disorientation, tremors, seizures, and death. It happens FAST!
It does not take many sticks of gum to poison a dog, especially a small dog. Symptoms typically begin within 30 minutes and can last for more than 12 hours, but since xylitol can be absorbed into the body slowly, symptoms may not begin until 12 hours after the xylitol was eaten.
Our advice is to check ALL labels for xylitol (Birch Sugar) as more and more human products like peanut butter contain xylitol. Also, ditch the xylitol for baking and the sugar-free gum/candy.
