What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol made from a part of birch trees. This naturally occurring product is used as a sugar substitute in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes.
According to the National Cancer Institue, sugar substitutes – also called artificial sweeteners – are substances that are used instead of sucrose (table sugar) to sweeten foods and beverages. Sugar substitutes are many times sweeter than table sugar, and therefore, smaller amounts are needed to create the same level of sweetness. Common brand names are Nutra-Sweet and Equal.
The Rise of Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs
The red flag is up for animal owners that xylitol can potentially cause serious and even life-threatening problems for pets. According the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the number of xylitol-related cases continues to rise.
Researchers Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Eric Dunayer, along with staff at the poison unit of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Illinois, have recently conducted a study on eight dogs treated for eating products containing xylitol. The study showed that each of the eight dogs became ill, and five died or had to be put down due to liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol.
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. “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.”
Additionally, as was published in the December 2006 edition of Veterinary Medicine, xylitol – once thought to cause only hypoglycemia in dogs – has recently been discovered to also produce acute, possibly life-threatening liver disease and coagulopathy. And the number of reported exposures to xylitol has been increasing.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center strongly urges pet owners to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum, baked goods 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.
The bottom line: keep products containing xylitol away from pets! Feed your pets only healthy snacks, and be sure to research appropriate foods for your specific animal (talking to your veterinarian is a great place to start).
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