Sugarless treat? Dead dog!

Crossfire Bulldogs · 09-30-2006, 06:40 AM

BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Dog owners accustomed to giving their pets sugarless treats may find themselves with a dead dog.

That's the warning issued Friday in a report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that appears to strengthen the suspected link between the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and possible liver failure.

"People don't think sugar-free gum can kill their dog. I didn't before I got into this. But this is something people should be aware of," said Gwaltney-Brant, who co-authored the study with Eric Dunayer.

Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes.

Gwaltney-Brant and Dunayer with staff at a poison unit of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Ill., gathered information on eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products containing xylitol.

Each dog became ill, and five died or had to be euthenized because of liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol.

One dog had eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins containing about one pound of xylitol.

Eating even a small amount of xylitol can trigger significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can be fatal, Gwaltney-Brant said.

"A 22-pound dog who consumes one gram (0.03 ounces) of xylitol should be treated," she said, adding that further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

calgal · 09-30-2006, 09:28 AM

I've looked at labels containing sugar free products and haven't seen an ingredient called "xylitol". Is this something that's only used in another country or by a specific company?

Crossfire Bulldogs · 09-30-2006, 09:59 AM

Xylitol is found in XLEAR Chewing Gum for dogs, Solid Gold Dragonette Biscuits, Solid Gold Dragon's Teeth Dog Biscuits, Advanced Dental Chews with dried edible toothpaste, DentaTreat and several others.

You can also contact the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) by telephone, 1-888-426-4435 for more information.

calgal · 09-30-2006, 01:26 PM

Thank you Sonja for the heads up on all this. I've never heard of these products, but you can be sure I'm going to dig into all the good info you posted and send this information to everyone I know! Thanks again. ((( ))))

calgal · 09-30-2006, 01:41 PM

Ok, here's the deal. When you call 1-888-426-4435 you then put in the ext. 751. This is where you can talk to Dana Farbman who is the ASPCA animal poision control specialist. She will be back on Monday.

Crossfire Bulldogs · 09-30-2006, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgal

Ok, here's the deal. When you call 1-888-426-4435 you then put in the ext. 751. This is where you can talk to Dana Farbman who is the ASPCA animal poision control specialist. She will be back on Monday.

Thanks Cal, if Dana has a list of all the products containing the chemical that she could fax or email to us that would be awesome! I'm planning on trying to give her a call on Monday.

linnie · 10-01-2006, 04:12 AM

I hope we can put all those products on here???

Crossfire Bulldogs · 10-01-2006, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linnie

I hope we can put all those products on here???

If I get a list from Dana I will post it here for everyone.

09-30-2006, 06:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Sugarless treat? Dead dog! BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Dog owners accustomed to giving their pets sugarless treats may find themselves with a dead dog. That's the warning issued Friday in a report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association that appears to strengthen the suspected link between the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and possible liver failure. "People don't think sugar-free gum can kill their dog. I didn't before I got into this. But this is something people should be aware of," said Gwaltney-Brant, who co-authored the study with Eric Dunayer. Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes. Gwaltney-Brant and Dunayer with staff at a poison unit of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Ill., gathered information on eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products containing xylitol. Each dog became ill, and five died or had to be euthenized because of liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol. One dog had eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins containing about one pound of xylitol. Eating even a small amount of xylitol can trigger significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can be fatal, Gwaltney-Brant said. "A 22-pound dog who consumes one gram (0.03 ounces) of xylitol should be treated," she said, adding that further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

09-30-2006, 09:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Crossfire Bulldogs Sourmug Mom Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Snuggled Between The Snorts & Snores. Posts: 7,844 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 284	Xylitol is found in XLEAR Chewing Gum for dogs, Solid Gold Dragonette Biscuits, Solid Gold Dragon's Teeth Dog Biscuits, Advanced Dental Chews with dried edible toothpaste, DentaTreat and several others. You can also contact the National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC) by telephone, 1-888-426-4435 for more information.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief. ~ Gerry Spence As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Crossfire Bulldogs : 09-30-2006 at 10:03 AM.

10-01-2006, 04:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 171	I hope we can put all those products on here???
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

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09-30-2006, 09:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	I've looked at labels containing sugar free products and haven't seen an ingredient called "xylitol". Is this something that's only used in another country or by a specific company?

09-30-2006, 01:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	Thank you Sonja for the heads up on all this. I've never heard of these products, but you can be sure I'm going to dig into all the good info you posted and send this information to everyone I know! Thanks again. ((( ))))

09-30-2006, 01:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
calgal My Yorkster kids! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: central ca. coast Posts: 6,783 Rep Power: 229	Ok, here's the deal. When you call 1-888-426-4435 you then put in the ext. 751. This is where you can talk to Dana Farbman who is the ASPCA animal poision control specialist. She will be back on Monday.

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