Products Sweetened With Xylitol Can Be Toxic to your Pet

Xylitol ingestion by dogs has been linked to low blood sugar, seizures and liver disease.

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is found in many foods labeled “sugar-free,” including hard candies, meal-replacement drinks, cookies, chewing gums, soft drinks, and throat lozenges.  Xylitol is a sugar substitute with sweetness equal to that of table sugar. It is a member of the group of compounds known as sugar alcohols, which includes other common dietary sweeteners such as sorbitol and mannitol. Xylitol is produced commercially from birch trees and other hardwoods containing xylan. It can also be found in small quantities in fruits and vegetables.

Below is an Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association alert distributed to veterinarians August 2006.
(Urbana, IL)- The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center cautions animal owners that xylitol, a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and other products can potentially cause serious and even life-threatening problems for pets.

The number of 2005 Xylitol-related cases are up more than 150% over the previous year with sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and baked goods among the harmful products.

"Last year, we managed more than 170 cases involving xylitol-containing products," says Dana Farbman, CVT and spokesperson for the Center. "This is a significant increase from 2004, when we managed about 70." Barely halfway into 2006, the Center has already managed about 114 cases. Why the increase? "It's difficult to say," Farbman states. "Xylitol products are relatively new to the United States marketplace, so one possibility may be an increase in availability."

According to Dr. Eric Dunayer, veterinarian and toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, dogs ingesting significant amounts of items sweetened with xylitol could develop a fairly 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 also stated that there appears to be a strong link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs.

While it was previously thought that only large concentrations of xylitol could result in problems, this appears to no longer be the case. "We seem to be learning new information with each subsequent case we manage," says Dr. Dunayer. "Our concern used to be mainly with products that contain xylitol as one of the first ingredients. However, we have begun to see problems developing from ingestions of products with lesser amounts of this sweetener." He also says that with smaller concentrations of xylitol, the onset of clinical signs could be delayed as much as 12 hours after ingestion. "Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that even if your pet does not develop signs right away, it does not mean that problems won't develop later on."

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center strongly urges pet owners to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum or other foods containing xylitol out of the reach of pets. As with any potentially toxic substance, should accidental exposures occur, it is important to contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for immediate assistance.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT XYLITOL

Effects of Xylitol Ingestion
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 xylitol toxicity can develop in as few as 30 minutes after ingestion. Clinical signs may include one or more of the following:

· Vomiting
· Weakness
· Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)
· Depression
· Hypokalemia (decreased potassium)
· Seizures
· Coma
· Liver dysfunction and/or failure

VETERINARY TREATMENTS AVAILABLE

After ingesting a xylitol-containing product a dog may receive one or more of the following treatments, depending on the amount of time that has lapsed since the ingestion occurred. The induction of vomiting is recommended if performed very soon after ingestion of the xylitol-containing product but before clinical signs develop. Frequent small meals or an oral sugar supplement may be used to manage dogs who have not yet shown clinical signs. Following the appearance of clinical signs intravenous dextrose can be used to control hypoglycemia. It may also be necessary to treat the patient for low potassium levels (hypokalemia), if indicated. Treatment should be continued until blood glucose levels return to normal levels. If you suspect your dog has ingested a product containing xylitol it is important to seek immediate medical care from your veterinarian or local emergency veterinary hospital.