I was at my friend's house for the Memorial Day holiday. While unpacking the car, her dog Ashleigh, got in and found a pack of sugar free gum that had been left under the front seat. I had no idea it was there, nor had I seen her take it. I do however know the dangers the gum posed. Thankfully, Ashleigh left the chewed up packet on the living room carpet, where we saw it.

It hadn't even been an hour, but we could already see the Xylitol poisoning taking effect. Ashleigh was lethargic and starting to dry heave. We rushed her to the local emergency vet where they put her on a glucose IV and kept track of her liver enzymes. She ended up spending the night to be monitored. It was only because I knew about Xylitol poisoning that we were able to avert a tragedy. Now, I'm telling you, so you can do the same. "I repeat...

"Xylitol is deadly to dogs!!!"

Xylitol has been used in other countries for years. It has recently caught on in the U.S. It is used as a sugar substitute when making diabetic foods, chewing gums and mints. It is also sold in packets at the grocery store to use as a sweetener.

Xylitol is found in minute amounts in many fruits and vegetables. Although dogs can safely eat most fruits and vegetables Xylitol, when used in larger amounts such as in dietary foods it poses a hazard.

Because Xylitol is a sugar alcohol when ingested by dogs it causes a very rapid drop in blood sugar levels and can raise liver enzymes leading to liver failure. Symptoms include loss of coordination, depression, collapse, vomiting and seizures. This can start happening in as little as thirty minutes after ingestion. This chemical acts very fast and one piece of gum can kill a small dog.

If you suspect your dog has ingested Xylitol through eating sugar free gum or any other dietary food get them to the veterinary as soon as possible. Don't wait for symptoms. It is important that the vet is able to start counteracting the effects of the poisoning as quickly as possible. With Xylitol poisoning time is the only thing you have on your side.

Although I advocate an all natural home cooked diet for your canine pals I strongly urge you to keep any sort of sugar substitute away from any pet in your household. Sugar substitutes are not good for your but they can be deadly to your pets. I don't keep them in my house. If you do use them please keep them up high away from any pets that might be tempted to eat them.

An Ounce Of Preventing Is Worth A Pound Of Cure
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