No Sugar Coating: Products Sweetened With Xylitol Can Be Toxic To Dogs
January 30, 2010 by Joyce Dierschke
Filed under Healthy Pets, In The News
-Number of 2005 Xylitol-Related Cases Up More Than 150% Over Previous Year – Sugar-free Chewing Gums, Candies, Baked Goods Among Products
August 21, 2006
Urbana, Ill—The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center cautions animal owners that xylitol, a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and other products can potentially cause serious and even life-threatening problems for pets.
“Last year, we managed more than 170 cases involving xylitol-containing products,” says Dana Farbman, CVT and spokesperson for the Center. “This is a significant increase from 2004, when we managed about 70.” Barely halfway into 2006, the Center has already managed about 114 cases. Why the increase? “It’s difficult to say,” Farbman states. “Xylitol products are relatively new to the United States marketplace, so one possibility may be an increase in availability.”
According to Dr. Eric Dunayer, veterinarian and toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, dogs ingesting significant amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination and seizures. “These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product. Therefore, it is crucial that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately.” Dr. Dunayer also stated that there appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs.
While it was previously thought that only large concentrations of xylitol could result in problems, this appears to no longer be the case. “We seem to be learning new information with each subsequent case we manage,” says Dr. Dunayer. “Our concern used to be mainly with products that contain xylitol as one of the first ingredients. However, we have begun to see problems developing from ingestions of products with lesser amounts of this sweetener.” He also says that with smaller concentrations of xylitol, the onset of clinical signs could be delayed as much as 12 hours after ingestion. “Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that even if your pet does not develop signs right away, it does not mean that problems won’t develop later on.”
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center strongly urges pet owners to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum or other foods containing xylitol out of the reach of pets. As with any potentially toxic substance, should accidental exposures occur, it is important to contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for immediate assistance.
The full ASPCA press release can be found at : http://www.aspca.org/pressroom/press-releases/082106.html
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] Xylitol is a natural compound that looks and tastes just like sugar. Our bodies already digest the xylitol found in fruits, vegetables and other organic substances. In fact, we produce about 15 grams of xylitol daily as part of normal metabolism. Nature’s Sweet Life xylitol is derived from non-genetically modified corn, making it completely natural. Xylitol has a safe track record; it has been used for over 40 years around the world and is approved in the U.S. for use in quantities needed to sweeten foods. Not only does xylitol offer great taste, but it contains 40% fewer calories and 75% fewer rbohydrates than regular table sugar. (WARNING: LIKE CHOCOLATE, XYLITOL CAN BE VERY TOXIC TO DOGS!!! READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.) [...]