|
Xylitol is
a five-carbon sugar alcohol, obtained commercially from wood sugar
(xylose)
that is used as a sugar substitute. Xylitol is also naturally occurring
sweetener found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, including
various
berries, corn husks, oats, mushrooms, and it can be extracted from corn
fibre,
birch, raspberries, plums, and corn.
It is used
as a sugar substitute in many low-carbohydrate and diabetic products
now on the
market. Xylitol is completely non-toxic to humans, but it is very toxic
to
dogs.
Xylitol can
cause potentially fatal hypoglycemia and can lead to liver failure in
dogs. It
does not take much to cause these effects. Since 1960's, experiments
indicated
a link between the ingestion of xylitol and hypoglycemia in dogs.
In both humans and dogs, the levels of blood sugar are controlled by
the body's
release of insulin from the pancreas. In humans xylitol ingestion does
not
cause any significant changes in insulin levels or, therefore, blood
glucose.
However, in dogs, xylitol causes a fast release of insulin, which
results in a
rapid decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia).
Clinical
signs of poisoning with xylitol can develop in as few as 20 to 30
minutes after
ingestion and may include one or more of the following:
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Uncoordinated movements
(ataxia)
- Decreased Potassium
(hypokalemia)
- Depression
- Seizures
- Coma
- Liver dysfunction
- Liver failure
Since
dogs ingesting
significant amounts of gum or candies solely or largely sweetened with
xylitol
may develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, and these signs can
develop
quite rapidly, it is very important that pet owners seek veterinary
treatment
or help from Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
If
that is not possible for
some reason or if your veterinarian consider it necessary, you should
induce
vomiting in your pet at home by using 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), the
same
solution used for the cleansing of cuts and scrapes that can be found
at your
local drugstore. Generally, 3% Hydrogen Peroxide is very effective,
producing
vomiting in about 10 to 15 minutes after dosing; once it has “fizzed”,
it
breaks down into water and oxygen and is quite harmless. The typical
dose for
inducing vomiting is about 1 ml per pound of body weight. Do not exceed
45 ml
or 3 tablespoons, and never force H2O2 or any other liquid into your
pet’s
mouth, because he or she may accidentally inhale it, which could lead
to
pneumonia.
Frequent
small meals or an oral sugar supplement may be recommended to manage
dogs that
have not yet shown clinical signs. After the appearance of clinical
signs
intravenous dextrose can be used to control hypoglycemia and some other
treatments may also be necessary until the blood glucose levels return
to
normal levels.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The induction of
vomiting is usually recommended if
performed very soon after ingestion of the xylitol-containing product
but
before clinical signs develop.
Offer your
pet a slice of bread with milk before giving H2O2 or small amount of
moist pet
food, as having food in the stomach can make vomiting a little easier.
Vomiting
should not be induced in animals exhibiting tremors or other neurologic
signs,
or with ingestions of certain substances such as caustic chemicals,
oils or
other items that could damage the gastrointestinal tract or become
inhaled.
Please do not use any
other “home remedies” such as salt,
mustard, or ipecac because they could actually result in potentially
serious
complications such as sodium poisoning or cardiac arrhythmias and they
are not
reliable means of getting pets to vomit.
The Animal Poison Control Center advises pet owners to
avoid offering
their animals food meant for human consumption, and to be especially
diligent
in keeping candy, gum or other foods containing chocolate or xylitol
out of the
reach of pets.
If you suspect that your
dog has
ingested a poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the local Animal Poison Control Center for animal poison
information.
|
