Sugar Free Gum is deadly for dogs

[Pom mommy]

I heard on the news today that sugar free gum has an ingredient that is deadly for dogs. The dog on the story was a lab who eat gum he "stole" out of his mommy's purse. Even with an immediate vet visit he almost died. He was put on a sugar drip IV but still his blood sugar continued to drop.
The offending ingredient is xylitol and is found in most sugar free gums.

[GreyhoundGirl]

Jenny ate a whole jumbo back (24 sticks) over a year ago and nothing happened... And that's a dog with an extremely sensitive stomach. I don't think there is any point in getting worried about it. Don't worry.

[xcolbi]

Jenny ate a whole jumbo back (24 sticks) over a year ago and nothing happened...

Yeah, if I try and blow bubbles (pretty hard with sticks of gum but I do try ) with the gum, Colbi always comes and pops them with her teeth. She'll lick it too, and then she might get a piece stuck on her tongue and swallow it. Nothing's happened to her, she just wants more bubbles.

[Pom mommy]

Since I saw this story on a 6 pm news broadcast I thought I would pass the info along. I guess since everyone thinks its a joke I wasted my time. Be asured I won't bother posting here anymore.
By the way here is a couple of articles about Xylitol in case you want to laugh at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center etc

http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/001863/

http://www.toltallyice.com/XylitolToxicityWarning.html

[Cinder & Smoke]

Article CREDIT to: American Veterinary Medical Association

AVMA journals > JAVMA News > Xylitol poisoning

October 1, 2006 Cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs rise

The Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has managed a substantially increased number of cases involving xylitol poisoning in dogs. Found in sugar-free chewing gum, candy, and baked goods, xylitol is a sweetener that can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening problems for pets.

The center managed more than 170 cases of xylitol poisoning in 2005, up from approximately 70 in 2004, said Dana Farbman, a certified veterinary technician and spokesperson for the center. As of August, the center had managed nearly 114 cases in 2006.

An increase in availability of xylitol-containing products may be one reason for the rise in cases, Farbman said.

While it was previously thought that only large concentrations of xylitol could cause problems in dogs, lesser amounts of the sweetener may also be harmful, the center reported.

"Our concern used to be mainly with products that contain xylitol as one of the first ingredients," said Dr. Eric Dunayer, who specializes in toxicology at the center. "However, we have begun to see problems developing from ingestions of products with lesser amounts of this sweetener." Dr. Dunayer said that with smaller concentrations of xylitol, the onset of clinical signs could be delayed as much as 12 hours after ingestion.

According to Dr. Dunayer, dogs ingesting substantial amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product. Therefore, it is crucial that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately," Dr. Dunayer said. He also said that there appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs.

To learn more about xylitol ingestion in dogs, turn to page 1113 for "Acute hepatic failure and coagulopathy associated with xylitol ingestion in eight dogs."

For more information on xylitol

and other products poisonous to pets,
visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
by logging on to
www.aspca.org
and clicking on Animal Poison Control
in the left-hand column.

American Veterinary Medical Association

Copyright © 2007

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[borzoimom]

Since I saw this story on a 6 pm news broadcast I thought I would pass the info along. I guess since everyone thinks its a joke I wasted my time. Be asured I won't bother posting here anymore.
By the way here is a couple of articles about Xylitol in case you want to laugh at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center etc

http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/001863/

http://www.toltallyice.com/XylitolToxicityWarning.html

Pom Mommy- you have to admit- without the articles for us to read, just a statement of " I heard" as a subject of something like gum- is eyebrow raising- especially if you do not chew gum etc. Also the symtoms you discribed did sound like a poisoning- but the dog got into her purse- it could have been anything the dog ate in the purse..
Thank you for calling this to our attention- and please in the future- if you can include the article so we can read it too- that would help us alot.
I have been in dogs all my life- and have heard so many false alarms that with age and experience- you do start to look at information without facts or own experience- raise an eyebrow at it... Also- this is sad but true- as a new poster, we had not gotten to know you yet. And we do have people that come through and post " crazy things" then leave.. Attaching the articles really helped.
If my question of suspecion offended you- I am sorry- but not having the information, the news article, or even medical evidence like Cinder & Smokes article- it was easy to make the assumption that this was a hoax..

[Kfamr]

Since I saw this story on a 6 pm news broadcast I thought I would pass the info along. I guess since everyone thinks its a joke I wasted my time. Be asured I won't bother posting here anymore.
By the way here is a couple of articles about Xylitol in case you want to laugh at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center etc

http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/001863/

http://www.toltallyice.com/XylitolToxicityWarning.html

Please, do not let a few here spoil your Pet Talk experience. Pet Talk is a really wonderful forum with several great members, there's just a handful who try to spoil it. Don't let them!!

Although I was already aware of the dangers brought up here, I do appreciate it when I see it cross-posted as a reminder and for those who possibly didn't know. So, thank you!

[kimlovescats]

Thank you for the heads up!!! Stick around PT, it's really a friendly community!