If he ate sugar-free gum, there's a definite cause for concern. Sugar-free gum contains xylitol, a sugar replacement used in many sugar-free foods; xylitol in dogs is toxic. If the gum wasn't sugar-free, then there may be less concern, but it's still a good idea to call their veterinarian just in case. You should also monitor your dog to make sure the gum makes its way through their system. Cummings Veterinary Medical Center says the ingredient can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar.
The most serious cases can result in liver failure. According to the FDA , xylitol in dogs can cause the following side effects:. Xylitol isn't just found in gum — it's also used in candy, toothpaste, mouthwash and other sugar-free products. It can also be found in chewable vitamins, throat drops and throat sprays. To keep your pup safe, keep all food, candy, dental products and medicine out of their reach.
An upper kitchen cabinet is a good place to keep these items from even the most inquisitive dogs. Be sure to keep bags, purses, coats and any other clothing or containers well out of their reach as well. A dog explores with their nose, so any open bag or pocket is an invitation for them to stick their head in and check it out.
If you know that your dog has ingested gum with xylitol in it, bring them to their vet or an emergency vet clinic immediately. If you're not certain whether or not your dog ate gum, it's best to err on the side of caution and contact the vet for advice. You know your dog will eat nearly anything, so it's your responsibility as their pet parent to be vigilant and keep all human foods and other toxic items out of their reach.
Your pup doesn't know better — it's up to you to protect their health and safety. Erin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Even in small amounts it can cause hypoglycaemia and liver failure in dogs. They say just one stick of chewing gum can contain enough of the sugar substitute to be fatal to dogs. The Blue Cross advises owners to seek urgent veterinary help if they believe their dog may have eaten any products containing xylitol.
Xylitol has gained recent popularity due to its sugar-free component, and is often found in diabetic snacks, foods, baked foods, and popular gums and candies. Xylitol is a common sugar-substitute used in sugar-free chewing gum, breath mints, candies, and baked goods. It is also found in some smoking-cessation products like nicotine gum. Bulk xylitol can be purchased for cooking at home. Finally, it has dental plaque fighting properties and also found in non-toxic amounts in pet mouth wash and oral rinses.
Xylitol may cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar as well as causing liver damage to dogs. Cats and people do not experience this problem.
Within minutes of ingestion dogs may develop hypoglycemia low blood sugar and start vomiting, become uncoordinated or start staggering. Collapse and seizures may quickly follow. Rarely, these signs may not begin until many hours after ingestion. Rapid decontamination induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage is warranted if your pet has not developed any clinical signs yet. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary to check a blood glucose. The danger of xylitol toxicity is in leaving it untreated.
All told, this can end up being a very expensive trip to the vet especially if your dog needs to be hospitalized. So try to prevent this emotional and financial stress by being more careful about your gum. Either switch to a brand that does not have xylitol in it or make a strong effort to store it in places that your dog definitely cannot reach. Designed by Out of the Sandbox. Powered by Shopify. Xylitol Toxicity Symptoms to Watch Out For The symptoms of xylitol toxicity will start to appear about minutes after your dog ate the gum.
The symptoms that you want to watch out for include: Loss of coordination Vomiting Fainting Seizures Liver failure Internal bleeding The last two are not really something you can see just by looking at your dog but they are serious symptoms that could be fatal for your dog if not treated.
What to Expect at the Vet When you get to the vet, you may be feeling panicked because you know this is serious. So here is what you should expect when you get to the vet: Because this is an urgent problem, the vet will probably skip the diagnosis stage and start treatment immediately. The vet is going to start by monitoring blood sugar levels in your dog very closely. In many cases, the vet will try to induce vomiting in your dog to try and get the gum out of his system.
0コメント