[News] Sugar-free Ingredient Called a Dog Killer NORTH COUNTY — LuLu, a 2-year-old teacup Yorkshire terrier, ate sugarless gum that she pilfered from a purse that was left on a recliner in her Solana Beach home. It almost killed her. What probably saved LuLu was owner Dorit Hanein seeing a gum wrapper on the stairs and remembering a poster listing toxic substances for dogs weeks earlier at a veterinarian's office. “I don't know why I would make that connection, but it took about three seconds,” Hanein said. With the little dog vomiting and shivering, Hanein raced her to the veterinarian, who successfully treated 4-pound LuLu for xylitol toxicosis. Veterinarians want pet owners to know they are seeing an increasing number of dogs that have ingested xylitol, through gum and other sugar-free sources. If the pet is left untreated, it will likely die, they say. Symptoms are vomiting, weak and wobbly appearance or extreme lethargy. A dog's blood sugar can bottom out in 30 minutes, and a pet can fall into a coma, veterinarians say. These symptoms can be observed from 30 minutes to 12 hours. The longer the pet goes without help, the more grave the condition becomes. “They can go into liver failure, and it's a pretty bad, life-threatening toxicity,” said Dr. Monica Clare, critical care specialist at Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Diego, where LuLu was treated. Clare said she has seen at least one or two cases per week during the past two to three months in their offices in San Diego and San Marcos. Clare said a dog that has eaten sugarless gum should be taken to the vet immediately. “We can induce vomiting if soon enough and save a lot of heartache later,” Clare said. “Then we will want to monitor the pet for 12 to 24 hours to see what their blood sugar does and check the pet's liver two or three days after ingestion.” Xylitol is found in fruits, and the human body also produces it. In sugar-free gum, xylitol has been shown to inhibit the growth of plaque and help prevent tooth decay. In humans, xylitol is absorbed slowly and has little or no effect on blood sugar or insulin levels. With dogs, it is quickly absorbed into the blood stream, causing an insulin release and sudden dip in blood sugar that can lead to liver failure, bleeding and death, said Dr. Ashley Weinberg of the Melrose Veterinary Clinic in Vista. Weinberg said she began hearing about dogs being poisoned by xylitol about two years ago and has seen an increase in cases. “Two pieces of sugarless gum can be harmful or fatal for a 20-pound dog,” Weinberg said. Xylitol can be found in just about anything advertised as sugar-free, including candy, baked goods, energy bars, muffins, brownies, cookies, Jell-O, pudding, ice cream and toothpaste. “It's amazing how many products contain xylitol, and I think it's getting to be more and more,” said Dr. Valerie Caskey of Pacific Animal Hospital in Oceanside. “One pudding cup can cause harm to a 90-pound Rottweiler.” Sugar-free ingredient called a dog killer |
Sugar Free Killer I am diabetic and had NO IDEA that many of the things I eat could kill my babies. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. |
Wow Thank you for this information, I had no idea!:eek: |
lowfat Cottage Cheese Quote:
bark@ulater!!!!! manina,miley:aimeeyork,max:aimeeyork |
I was at the vet this morning and a story about this was on their TV I had no idea!!! :animal36:animal-pa |
wow really good to know. wondering if low fat yogurt has it in it? OMG thanks for posting. |
So... if xylitol is also found in fruit, does that mean I can't give my dog any fruit? She loves pears and strawberries as a treat. |
My gosh, I hope the low fat cottage cheese is okay. I mix some in their wet food at nite and they love it. In fact, little Dudley will not eat his unless it has it mixed in. Kayla got into my purse and eat a sugar free cough drop. I am also diabetic. We watch her and she had no ill effect from it, thank the Lord. She also weighs 8lbs. That might have helped too. I have to watch mine constantly. They are soooo noisey. They love to get into purses. |
Read the Labels "Xylitol can be found in just about anything advertised as sugar-free, including candy, baked goods, energy bars, muffins, brownies, cookies, Jell-O, pudding, ice cream and toothpaste." Also can be found in pet toothpastes. I have gotten into the habit of reading the label(s) on all our (both ours and the "kids" :aimeeyork) food and health items. I take the mindset, small dog(s) need only a small amount to be potentially harmful. |
Some of you are confusing low fat products with this....this is about sugar free products, not low fat! |
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bark@ulater !!!! manina,miley:aimeeyork,max:aimeeyork |
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aspartame is another deadly sugar substitute that can turn to formaldehyde in extreme temperatures. this is something i would not want to put into a 98.6 degree body, but that's just me |
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bark@ulater!!! manina,miley:aimeeyorkmax:aimeeyorksasha:aimeeyork |
Xylitol This stuff is also given to humans for constipation. So if you are having a problem with unexplained diarrhea this ingredient could be the culprit. :eek: |
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