Xylitol Poisoning

Most of us know that we could be healthier if we changed some of our eating habits. The same applies to our pets, which are suffering record levels of obesity.

Both humans and dogs enjoy sweet tastes and scientists discovered that fruits contain an alcohol that tastes sweet. In an effort to help us satisfy our sweet tooth while reducing the amount of sugar we eat, these food engineers isolated the chemical and found it assists people in losing weight and reducing cavities. So far the chemical called xylitol seems safe for people, and many dentists and doctors are suggesting people buy it in granules and use it at home to reduce their consumption of sugar. It's a common sweetener used in candy, gum and baked goods like muffins and breads.

While xylitol is not known to be dangerous to people, veterinarians across the nation are seeing increased rates of serious poisoning in dogs that accidentally ingest even small amounts. Pet owners need to become aware of xylitol in products so they can carefully isolate these items from their dogs. Any dog that ingests xylitol, even in very small amounts, should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Poisoned dogs may vomit immediately after ingestion as their natural defenses work to eliminate the toxin. Unlike humans, Xylitol can over stimulate the dog's pancreas to release too much insulin, and many dogs will show signs of depression, lethargy and decreased awareness as their blood sugars drop to dangerously low levels. Seizures can occur if their blood sugar drops too low. These more serious signs can occur within a half hour of ingestion in some dogs. Many dogs will not show these immediate problems and their family can incorrectly think that all is fine until 12-18 hours later when more serious and irreversible signs suddenly appear.

Immediate veterinary care is important and your doctor will likely either induce vomiting or pump the affected dog's stomach to remove as much toxin as quickly as possible. Administration of substances that absorb toxins and further prevent their absorption is also useful in early cases. The longer the time between ingestion and seeking veterinary care, the less likely that we can effectively remove the xylitol from the dog's system.
All dogs should have blood work done immediately to evaluate their blood sugar and basic blood chemistries. Many veterinarians also recommend a coagulation test to detect serious bleeding tendencies that result from damage to the liver.

Hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids is necessary to dilute toxins and flush them from the system. These intravenous fluids may contain added sugar if needed to correct conditions involving low blood sugar. During hospitalization the veterinarian will want to monitor blood tests and clotting times daily. If severe liver failure occurs then treatment with other agents may be needed but care needs to be used in drug selection so that drugs that damage the liver are avoided.

Ultimately the chances for recovery depend on how much xylitol was eaten, how long it was before the pet began treatment and how well their liver handles the toxin. In dogs that have only mild low blood sugar and slight elevations of their liver blood test values, we often see recoveries in a few days. In more severe cases the condition can progress to severe liver failure and difficulty clotting blood. Such cases may not survive the poisoning.

It is hard for many people to accept how lethal this chemical can be because it is safe for people. Sadly, many people delay therapy because they don't realize this important fact. Also, it would be wonderful if manufacturers would voluntarily put the amount of xylitol in their products on the label. In many cases it is very difficult to determine how much was eaten, and at this time we do not know exactly how xylitol injures the dog's liver. Until we figure this out we won't be able to recommend the best treatment plan. Since this is the case it is prudent to treat all ingestions as if they are serious and potentially lethal. See your veterinarian immediately and request aggressive therapy from the beginning.

Knowledge is power and preventing xylitol ingestion is the best policy. Tell all your dog owning friends. It's crazy to think that someone's dog could die from a few muffins or pieces of sugarless gum, but it is true.