Xylitol - Beware!

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OntarioSheltie

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This has been mentioned a few times but it doesn't appear there is a specific thread about it. I just want to reiterate how important it is to be aware of what you're feeding your dog, even if its a vet prescribed medication.

Xylitol is an all natural sweetener that is used in a lot of things such as gum, mints, medications, etc. It is EXTREMELY toxic to dogs.

When giving your dog medication of any kind please be sure that this isn't included. Be especially careful when purchasing chewable natural supplements from your health food store, they can be sweetened with Xylitol.

Here is a good article about why to watch out for this sweetener. IMO, every dog owner should read this!

http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2011/feb/xylitol_now_in_drugs#.TvNJZlY8e3I
 
Good to know! My Smokey once ate half of a family pack of Trident gum with Xylitol in it. Luckily we caught it within 10 minutes and forced him to vomit using peroxide. His tummy hurt for a day or so but at least he didn't have seizures or get violently ill.

Luckily more and more gum brands are not using Xylitol any longer. Many of them use Sorbitol and Malitol. It still isn't good for them but it doesn't cause seizures and death like Xylitol does.
 
Kelly said:
I had also asked Dr. Khuly to repost this article on SN earlier this year. I was also surprised at the serious danger!

Thanks for the reminder and lets hope to reach more dog lovers by posting the link again here.

(Here is the SN link & the comments for those interested.)

http://sheltienation.com/2011/02/dog-toxic-xylitol-in-gums-mints-desserts-and-now-drugs.html
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That's right! I thought I read it somewhere but didn't think to check back at Sheltie Nation. Was reading about it again today and couldn't find a thread about it so I thought I'd post one. :smile2:

Thanks to that Sheltie Nation link I stopped myself from making a BIG mistake last spring. I almost bought Toby chewable l-theanine at the health food store for his anxiety. At the last second before leaving the store I looked at the ingredients list and saw that it included xylitol. The people at the store had no idea its toxic to dogs.
 
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Xylitol

Teva Pharmaceutical number is 1-800-545-8800 they make flavored amoxicillin for dogs (and people). I had occasion to call them to make sure there was no xylitol in the meds I was using for one of my shelties. Since they make a variety of drugs for all, it's a good number to have and they are very cordial and informative.



Best,
Kate
 
One evening one of my puppies got into a pack of sugar-free gum and ate about 10 pieces. The next day another puppy of mine got into a pack and ate the whole pack --12 pieces. We didn't think anything of it... and guess what? Nothing ever happened. This was back in May so I'm thinking any side effects would have surfaced? I did a LITTLE research, not a lot, but mostly I found the dog's stomach being pumped if it ingested it, but didn't read any stories from dogs actually sick from it. I suppose it's not poisonous to all dogs?
 
2 pieces of xylitol gum eaten by a 20 lb. Dog can cause hypoglycemia. 5 pieces eaten by by a 10 lb. Dog can cause acute liver failure and death.
 
Danny's mommy said:
2 pieces of xylitol gum eaten by a 20 lb. Dog can cause hypoglycemia. 5 pieces eaten by by a 10 lb. Dog can cause acute liver failure and death.
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Yeah, I read this. My dogs both weigh 15lbs and one ate 10 piece and one ate 12 pieces. The only thing I can think of is it only affects certain dogs because mine had no bad reactions whatsoever. Not that I'd give them gum again lol but I am just flabbergasted at how they didn't have any negative effects.
 
marymrumfelt said:
Yeah, I read this. My dogs both weigh 15lbs and one ate 10 piece and one ate 12 pieces. The only thing I can think of is it only affects certain dogs because mine had no bad reactions whatsoever. Not that I'd give them gum again lol but I am just flabbergasted at how they didn't have any negative effects.
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What brand of gum did they have though?
 
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