Xylitol is deadly for dogs … and what to do in an emergency
If you notice quickly enough, you could still save your dog’s life
XYLITOL is a common product used in the modern household, often as a dieter’s substitute for sugar or sweeteners in tea, coffee and baked goods.
It can be found in many shop-bought goods, from sugar-free gum, sweets and toothpaste to mouthwash and baked goods.
However, for dogs, Xylitol can be extremely toxic, posing a serious health risk if swallowed, even in small quantities, says Debbie Caknis of Zero Point Healing, a business that provides holistic healthcare therapies for animals.
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Here’s Debbie’s advice on what to look out for and the steps to take if you think your dog may have ingested Xylitol, as well as when you are pretty sure they have done so.
SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR:
- vomiting
- loss of coordination, collapse
- seizures or fits
- weakness, extreme tiredness
- coma
In humans, Xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas, but in dogs it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release.
This can cause a fast and profound decrease in their blood-sugar levels (hypoglycaemia), an effect that could occur within 10 to 60 minutes.
As it takes only 100mg per kilogram of Xylitol to cause hypoglycaemia in a dog, for a Maltese poodle weighing just four kilograms, even a small amount of the substance could be fatal.
And the higher the dose ingested, the higher the risk of liver failure.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG EATS XYLITOL:
- Get your dog to the vet immediately
- Do not induce vomiting or give your dog anything else orally, unless indicated by your vet or a pet helpline.
CHECK INGREDIENTS:
In light of the seriousness of Xylitol poisoning in dogs, it is best to check all ingredients in shop-bought goods and to keep those containing Xylitol in high places where pets cannot jump up and reach them.
Source: Your Family
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