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Saturday, February 24, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Sugar substitute xylitol could be deadly for dogs
There was a news report on our local
news about a lab dog that got in the owners
purse and ate 18 sticks of Trident gum.
The gum contained an ingredient - xylitol -
The woman contact an ER vet right away, and
the dog was saved.
The report said that 1 stick of gum for every
20# dog could kill it.
Trident and Orbit were 2 gums that they mentioned.
I found this article on the web. The tv
channel that I saw the report on did not have
a link on their web site.
Also here is a link to hoax slayer
Dog Owner Alert Email - Xylitol Sweetener Toxic to Dogs
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/xylitol-dog-warning.shtml
xo xo
Deb
```````````````````````````````````````````````````
Sugar substitute xylitol could be deadly for dogs
By MICHELLE MARSHALL
Published Sunday, February 4, 2007
Do you think that sugar-free gum in your purse is harmless? If it
contains xylitol and your dog eats it, think again. New research has
shown that ingesting xylitol can cause life-threatening liver failure
in dogs. Articles published in the Oct. 1, 2006, edition of the
Journal of Veterinary Medicine and December 2006 Veterinary Medicine
cite cases of xylitol toxicity in dogs.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in products such as
sugar-free gum and mints, nicotine gum, vitamins, oral-care products
and baked goods. It is available in a granulated form, which measures
equally with sugar, for baking and sweetening cereals and drinks.
In people, the use of xylitol is considered safe, but consuming more
than 130 grams per day will often cause diarrhea. In dogs, xylitol
has long been known to cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, but a
recent study has found that it can cause severe liver toxicity as
well. The effects of xylitol on cats are currently unknown.
Xylitol was first identified in 1891 by a German chemist. Its use was
not widespread until the 1970s, when more efficient technology made
its production more affordable. Currently, its use is on the rise as
more people look for a substitute for sugar.
Xylitol has many beneficial properties. Besides being a sugar
substitute with 2/3 the calories of sucrose, it causes little insulin
release in humans. It helps prevent oral bacteria from producing the
acids that damage tooth surfaces, so it is used in chewing gums,
toothpaste and other oral-care products. It also inhibits the growth
of certain bacteria, making it helpful in preventing bacterial otitis
media in children.
In the 1960s, researchers found that xylitol caused a much greater
release of insulin in dogs than an equal amount of glucose. This
could result in a drop in blood glucose concentration, leading to
hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can seen as soon as 30-60 minutes after
ingestion or take as long as 12 hours to occur. Vomiting is usually
the fist sign. Lethargy, collapse and seizure might follow.
Xylitol's link with liver failure was found during a study of records
from the Animal Poison Control Center, or APCC, from 2003 to 2005.
Eight dogs treated for xylitol ingestion during this time were found
to have suffered liver failure. Five of the pets died or were
euthanized.
The number of cases of xylitol exposure is increasing, partly because
of increased awareness but also because of increased use of xylitol
in this country. In 2005, 170 cases of xylitol exposure were
reported. As of August, the APCC had reported 114 cases for 2006.
So, what should a pet owner do with this information? Knowing which
products contain xylitol and keeping your pet away from these
products is best. If your pet does eat something containing xylitol,
call your veterinarian immediately. If the amount ingested is greater
than 0.1 mg/kg, hypoglycemia might develop, and doses greater than
0.5 mg/kg can damage the liver. In some cases, determining the amount
of xylitol in a product can be difficult. Take any information about
the product with you to the vet's office. Your pet might need to be
hospitalized in order to monitor blood values. Prompt treatment is
essential.
Other sugar substitutes are generally regarded as nontoxic in dogs,
although some might cause diarrhea in high doses. Sorbitol, mannitol,
saccharin, aspartame and sucralose have not been implicated in the
problems seen with xylitol.
news about a lab dog that got in the owners
purse and ate 18 sticks of Trident gum.
The gum contained an ingredient - xylitol -
The woman contact an ER vet right away, and
the dog was saved.
The report said that 1 stick of gum for every
20# dog could kill it.
Trident and Orbit were 2 gums that they mentioned.
I found this article on the web. The tv
channel that I saw the report on did not have
a link on their web site.
Also here is a link to hoax slayer
Dog Owner Alert Email - Xylitol Sweetener Toxic to Dogs
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/xylitol-dog-warning.shtml
xo xo
Deb
```````````````````````````````````````````````````
Sugar substitute xylitol could be deadly for dogs
By MICHELLE MARSHALL
Published Sunday, February 4, 2007
Do you think that sugar-free gum in your purse is harmless? If it
contains xylitol and your dog eats it, think again. New research has
shown that ingesting xylitol can cause life-threatening liver failure
in dogs. Articles published in the Oct. 1, 2006, edition of the
Journal of Veterinary Medicine and December 2006 Veterinary Medicine
cite cases of xylitol toxicity in dogs.
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in products such as
sugar-free gum and mints, nicotine gum, vitamins, oral-care products
and baked goods. It is available in a granulated form, which measures
equally with sugar, for baking and sweetening cereals and drinks.
In people, the use of xylitol is considered safe, but consuming more
than 130 grams per day will often cause diarrhea. In dogs, xylitol
has long been known to cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, but a
recent study has found that it can cause severe liver toxicity as
well. The effects of xylitol on cats are currently unknown.
Xylitol was first identified in 1891 by a German chemist. Its use was
not widespread until the 1970s, when more efficient technology made
its production more affordable. Currently, its use is on the rise as
more people look for a substitute for sugar.
Xylitol has many beneficial properties. Besides being a sugar
substitute with 2/3 the calories of sucrose, it causes little insulin
release in humans. It helps prevent oral bacteria from producing the
acids that damage tooth surfaces, so it is used in chewing gums,
toothpaste and other oral-care products. It also inhibits the growth
of certain bacteria, making it helpful in preventing bacterial otitis
media in children.
In the 1960s, researchers found that xylitol caused a much greater
release of insulin in dogs than an equal amount of glucose. This
could result in a drop in blood glucose concentration, leading to
hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can seen as soon as 30-60 minutes after
ingestion or take as long as 12 hours to occur. Vomiting is usually
the fist sign. Lethargy, collapse and seizure might follow.
Xylitol's link with liver failure was found during a study of records
from the Animal Poison Control Center, or APCC, from 2003 to 2005.
Eight dogs treated for xylitol ingestion during this time were found
to have suffered liver failure. Five of the pets died or were
euthanized.
The number of cases of xylitol exposure is increasing, partly because
of increased awareness but also because of increased use of xylitol
in this country. In 2005, 170 cases of xylitol exposure were
reported. As of August, the APCC had reported 114 cases for 2006.
So, what should a pet owner do with this information? Knowing which
products contain xylitol and keeping your pet away from these
products is best. If your pet does eat something containing xylitol,
call your veterinarian immediately. If the amount ingested is greater
than 0.1 mg/kg, hypoglycemia might develop, and doses greater than
0.5 mg/kg can damage the liver. In some cases, determining the amount
of xylitol in a product can be difficult. Take any information about
the product with you to the vet's office. Your pet might need to be
hospitalized in order to monitor blood values. Prompt treatment is
essential.
Other sugar substitutes are generally regarded as nontoxic in dogs,
although some might cause diarrhea in high doses. Sorbitol, mannitol,
saccharin, aspartame and sucralose have not been implicated in the
problems seen with xylitol.
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