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Ed Yeates ReportingA new food product that benefits us could kill our dogs. That's the latest warning from the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The national Animal Poison Control Center says the potential for serious illness is very high.
Xylitol is a naturally occuring sweetner found in many products. It's in gum, pudding, cookies, and more. It's even available in a powder for use in preparing sugar-free foods.
But while we metabolize it quite well, a dog has problems.
An AVMA study shows xylitol complications in dogs climbed from 70 to 170 cases over a year. Most involved dogs consuming products like gum, puddings or beverages containing the product.
Again, while xylitol fits nicely into a human's diet, it can lead to liver failure in dogs.
Dr. Lawrence McGill, DVD, Ph.D/ Veterinary Pathologist: "We can eat a lot of xylitol and it doesn't do anything to us in that way. But it causes a severe insulin release in the dog. Then these dogs go into hypoglycemia. They have seizures."
It doesn't take that much to produce a toxic dose in a dog weighing 20 to 25 pounds: One piece of chewing gum. One half teaspoon of the powder itself. Or two ounces of a sugar free pudding.
Liver failure takes over after eight pieces of gum. Four teaspoons of the powder. Or two containers of sugar free pudding.
Dr. Lawrence McGill, DVD, Ph.D/ Veterinary Pathologist: "Dogs can go into liver failure as quickly as three to four days, and this is quite rapidly. They can have hypoglycemia in one to two hours."
The advice? Stick to dog snacks designed specifically for animals. Don't leave products containing xylitol in places where dogs can see them, especially when you're not at home.
Dr. Lawrence McGill, DVD, Ph.D/ Veterinary Pathologist: "They think these things are great because this is something the master has left out on the table or counter and, oh boy, I can have just as many as I want."
Incidentally, this adverse reaction seems to be unique to dogs and not to other animals.
Dr. McGill says powdered xylitol sweetners, which are becoming very popular for home use, are extremely appetizing for dogs.
