Chemically, it is a sugar alcohol, and found naturally in berries, plums, corn, oats, mushrooms, lettuce, trees, and some other fruits. The higher the dose ingested, the more the risk of liver failure. Within 15 to 20 minutes, they might even be comatose, she adds, and depending on the amount consumed, a dog can also experience liver failure from ingesting xylitol. But in animals like dogs, xylitol quickly is absorbed in the bloodstream, which causes a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. Fast and aggressive treatment by your veterinarian is essential to effectively reverse any toxic effects and prevent the development of severe problems. Additional information can be found online at, Lack of coordination or difficulty walking or standing. When cells take too much sugar from the blood (in response to increased insulin levels), the pets blood sugar can drop dangerously lowa condition known as hypoglycemia. The dose of xylitol that can cause hypoglycemia in the dog has been reported between 50 milligrams (mg) of xylitol per pound of body weight (100 mg per kg). If you personally use products containing xylitol, make sure they are stored safely out of reach of your pets. Interestingly, it seems that while some breeds are greatly affected by xylitol, others don’t have a problem, but more research is being done to obtain more information. Learn more. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning develop rapidly, usually within 15-30 minutes of consumption. A substance called xylitol is making thousands of dog sick and even causing death, affecting more pets now than ever before, and it’s probably in your home right now. In all cases, your dog will require hospitalization for blood sugar monitoring, dextrose administration, intravenous fluids, liver protectants, and any other supportive care that may be needed. The toxicity of xylitol for cats and other species is not documented at this time, although there has been some concern that other non-primate species (e.g., cats, ferrets, etc.) Xylitol, a sugar substitute used in sugar-free gum, oral care products, and baked goods, is gaining popularity in the United States. Treatment for xylitol toxicity normally involves hospitalization, iv fluids, and careful monitoring. Xylitol can also cause liver damage in dogs. Contributors: Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, DABT, DABVT, Associate Director of Veterinary Services, Pet Poison Helpline, *Pet Poison Helpline, is an animal poison control service available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary professionals who require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. If insulin concentrations are too high, blood glucose levels can drop to a dangerously low level (hypoglycemia). In dogs, xylitol causes a strong release of insulin, the hormone responsible for allowing glucose to enter cells. There has been less research on other pets, including cats and ferrets, but it … Xylitol is safe for use in people, although like most sugar alcohols, it may have a mild laxative effect when eaten in large amounts or when first introduced to a diet. Some brands of gum contain fairly small amounts of xylitol, and it would take up to 9 pieces of gum to result in severe hypoglycemia in a 45 pound (20 kg) dog, while 45 pieces would need to be ingested to result in liver failure. Keep in mind that there are some veterinary products that contain small amounts of xylitol (e.g., gabapentin medication, mouthwashes). Why is xylitol toxic to dogs? Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs. Xylitol is Deadly to Dogs Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar replacement with many health benefits, including the prevention of issues such as cavities and ear infections. If dogs ingest xylitol, they run the risk of going into hypoglycemic shock. It can cause low blood sugar and serious liver problems. It’s clear than humans can consume many foods that dogs cannot—xylitol isn’t any different. However, though xylitol is very beneficial to humans, it’s not safe for pets, especially dogs. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that was first discovered in the late 19th century and was first used as a safer alternative to sugar for diabetic patients. Xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas in humans. Emergency Situations, Medical Conditions, Others, Pet Services. But for dogs, xylitol poisoning is a major problem, according to Ahna Brutlag, DVM, associate director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline. Even the smallest amount of xylitol can threaten your dog’s life, proving just how dangerous this substance is for dogs. Insulin is a hormone that helps the bodys cells take glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and use it for cellular functioning. Since toxicity develops rapidly, your veterinarian will not wait for a confirmed diagnosis before beginning treatment. If your dog has just eaten xylitol but has not yet developed any clinical signs, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to prevent further absorption, depending on what your dog's blood glucose level is. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. No. Diagnosing Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs Your dog will undergo a complete blood profile, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a … Minimal amounts of it can even lead to seriously dangerous consequences, namely liver failure, seizures and declines in blood sugar. This occurs because xylitol may not be completely digested in the intestines until the digestive system adapts. Alcohol: Beverages and food products with alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, coma, and even death if ingested by your dog. The compound doesnt affect glucose levels in people, but when ingested by dogs it can cause a dangerous surge of insulin. However, bigger breeds of dogs have shown to be affected by xylitol as much as other breeds. In humans and dogs, blood sugar levels are determined by the amount of insulin released from the pancreas into the bloodstream. Do not induce vomiting or give anything orally to your dog unless specifically directed to do so by your veterinarian. Brutlag says ingesting xylitol causes a rapid and massive insulin release in dogs, which will manifest itself outwardly to a pet owner as acute weakness, staggering, and vomiting. You can prevent xylitol poisoning by keeping items containing the ingredient away from pets. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sugar substitute in many human products, including many dental products as it reduces the development of cavities and plaque. Do not share any food that may contain xylitol with your pets. Dog owners should know that xylitol can be toxic to dogs, even when the relatively small amounts from candies are eaten. In dogs, doses > 0.1 g/kg are considered toxic and result in profound, sudden problems. Since xylitol toxicity can cause both low blood glucose and low potassium levels, your veterinarian will perform blood work to determine whether these problems need to be treated. If your dog has ingested xylitol, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center immediately. In dogs, xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and results in a large insulin release, which triggers the symptoms mentioned above. As there is a large range of xylitol in each different brand and flavor of gum, it is important to identify whether a toxic amount has been ingested. This effect is not seen in people who eat xylitol. In both humans and dogs, the level of blood sugar is controlled by the release of insulin from the pancreas. Within an hour or less, hypoglycemic symptoms can become noticeable. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure or even death in dogs. Xylitol in dogs results in rapid release of insulin by the pancreas leading to a rapid decline in blood sugar level in dogs causing … It may be beneficial to a human diabetic or someone watching their weight, but it can be deadly for dogs. Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance that is widely used as a sugar substitute. There is no antidote for xylitol toxicity, although treatment with sugar supplementation, IV fluids, and liver protective drugs are beneficial. Dogs that develop liver failure from xylitol poisoning often show signs of hypoglycemia. They don’t have the necessary lactase to properly digest dairy from cows for example, and therefore milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems. If clinical signs have developed, treatment will be based on the symptoms that are being shown. 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