Sugar substitutes are big business. Less sugar
can mean weight loss, improved health, diabetic control, and even
reduced tooth decay. The quest for products that can sweeten and cook
like sugar is ongoing. Xylitol is common sugar substitute, especially
when it comes to sugarless gum. Not only does xylitol offer sweetness
without calories, it also has antibacterial properties in the mouth so
as to reduce periodontal disease and has been found to have far reaching
health benefits in other areas of the body. Xylitol may help with
osteoporosis, prevention of ear and throat infections, and may reduce
risk of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and even breast cancer.
Sounds wonderful and maybe it is – if you are a
human. If you are a dog, xylitol is potentially lethal.
Two Deadly Effects of Xylitol
Hypoglycemia
In the canine body, the pancreas confuses xylitol with real sugar and
releases insulin to store the “sugar.” The problem is that xylitol does
not offer the extra Calories of sugar and the rush of insulin only
serves to remove the real sugar from the circulation. Blood sugar levels
plummet resulting in weakness, disorientation, tremors, and potentially
seizures.
It does not take many sticks of gum to poison a
dog, especially a small dog (see below for toxic doses). Symptoms
typically begin within 30 minutes and can last for more than 12 hours.
Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.
Hepatic Necrosis
The other reaction associated with xylitol in the canine body is actual
destruction of liver tissue. How this happens remains unknown but the
doses of xylitol required to produce this effect are much higher than
the hypoglycemic doses described above. Signs take longer to show up
(typically 8-12 hours) and surprisingly not all dogs that experience
hepatic necrosis, will have experienced hypoglycemia first. A lucky dog
experiences only temporary illness but alternatively, a complete and
acute liver failure can result with death following. Internal hemorrhage
and inability of blood to clot is commonly involved.
How Much Xylitol Is Dangerous?
The hypoglycemic dose of xylitol for dogs is
considered to be approximately 0.1 grams per kilogram of body weight
(about 0.045 grams per pound). A typical stick of gum contains 0.3 to
0.4 grams of xylitol, which means that a 10 lb dog could be poisoned by
as little as a stick and a half of gum.
The dose to cause hepatic necrosis is 1 gram per kilogram of body
weight, about ten times more than the above dose. In the example above,
the 10 lb dog would have to find an unopened package of gum and eat it
for liver destruction to occur.
Treatment
Ideally, the patient can be seen quickly
(within 30 minutes) and can be made to vomit the gum or candy. Beyond
this, a sugar IV drip is prudent for a good 24 hours. Liver enzyme and
blood clotting tests are monitored for 2 to 3 days. Blood levels of
potassium are ideally monitored as well. Elevated blood phosphorus
levels often bode poorly.
What about Cats?
So far National Animal Poison Control has no
reports of xylitol toxicity in cats. At this time, feline toxicity is
unknown.
What about Xylitol Containing
Mouthwashes for Pets?
The oral health benefits of xylitol do seem to
hold true for dogs if appropriately low doses of xylitol are used. A
product called Aquadent® has been marketed for canine oral care,
specifically for dogs that do not tolerate other methods of dental home
care. This product is mixed in drinking water to provide antibacterial
benefits. It comes in a 500cc (half liter) bottle that contains a total
of 2.5 grams of xylitol as well as in small packets. If one follows the
dosing instructions on the bottle or packet, there should be no
problems.
Trouble could occur if there are animals of
different sizes drinking from the same water bowl (one should dose for
the smallest animal to use the bowl to be sure overdose is not
possible). A dog finding the bottle and chewing it up, drinking a
substantial quantity of the undiluted product could easily be poisoned
depending on the dog’s size.
Keep this phone number handy:
1-888-426-4435
This is the number for
National Animal Poison Control Center,
a 24-hour service whereby you can speak directly to a veterinary
toxicology specialist. In addition to advice, you will receive a case
number which your veterinarian can use for further consultation at no
additional charge.
Consultations are approximately $60, but if
your pet has a HomeAgain microchip and is enrolled in the full service
registration program, poison control consultations are free. Simply
provide your pet’s microchip number to the assistant on the phone. Any
brand of microchip can be registered in the HomeAgain program for $14.99
by calling 1-888-HomeAgain. |
