[ SHOWGSD-L ] Xylitol toxicity warning

From: Peggy <pmick@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2005 21:34:47 -0400
Warning to All Dog Owners/Xylitol Toxicity
Xylitol Toxicity:

A Warning to All Dog Owners

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used in sugar-free products such as gum
and candy, as well as for baking and is used in the production of certain
low-carbohydrate products now on the market.

As early as the 1960's, experiments indicated a link between the ingestion
of xylitol and hypoglycemia in dogs.  However, it has only been recently
that the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has begun to receive reports of
xylitol toxicosis in dogs.  It is believed that this recent rise is likely
due to the increased use of products containing xylitol in the United
States.

Effects of Xylitol Ingestion

In both humans and dogs, the levels of blood sugar are controlled by the
body's release of insulin from the pancreas.  In human xylitol ingestion
does not cause any significant changes in insulin levels or, therefore,
blood glucose.  However, in dogs, xylitol causes a fast release of insulin,
which results in a rapid decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia).

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs of xylitol toxicity can develop in as few as 30 minutes 
after
ingestion.  Clinical signs may include one or more of the following:

  a.. Vomiting
  b.. Weakness
  c.. Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)
  d.. Depression
  e.. Hypokalemia (decreased potassium)
  f.. Seizures
  g.. Coma
  h.. Liver dysfunction and/or failure

Treatment

After ingesting a xylitol-containing product a dog may receive one of more
of the following treatments, depending on the amount of time that has 
lapsed
since the ingestion occurred.  The induction of vomiting is recommended if
performed very soon after ingestion of the xylitol-containing product but
before clinical signs develop.  Frequent small meals or an oral sugar
supplement may be used to manage dogs that have not yet shown clinical
signs.  Following the appearance of clinical signs intravenous dextrose can
be used to control hypoglycemia.  It may also be necessary to treat the
patient for low potassium levels (hypokalemia), if indicated.  Treatment
should be continued until the blood glucose levels return to normal levels.

For more information on this and other poison control questions the ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at 888-426-4435 or on the 
web at
www.apcc.aspca.org.


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[ SHOWGSD-L ] Xylitol toxicity warning

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