Xylitol is a commonly used sugar substitute. It is commonly found in gum, toothpaste, chewable vitamins, mouthwash, and cough medicines. Recently xylitol has also been used as a sugar substitute for baking as well. It is not only non-toxic to humans but also has health benefits in reducing cavities and middle ear infections. While xylitol is found naturally in food products like berries and oats, this sweetener is extracted chemically from wood.
Unfortunately for dogs, xylitol is extremely toxic if ingested even in small amounts. As little as 2-3 sticks of chewing gum are toxic to a 20 lb dog. It is also rapidly absorbed, causing problems within 30 minutes. Toxicity occurs due to a rapid release of insulin, a hormone which regulates blood sugar. This causes severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which can cause vomiting, weakness, incoordination, seizures, coma, and even death. Liver failure is also associated with xylitol toxicity as is a problem with blood clotting. Lower blood potassium also occurs which can cause profound weakness and circulatory collapse.
If your pet ingests a xylitol containing product, immediate veterinary intervention is required. If ingestion was very recent, we might try to get the dog to vomit up the product. Activated charcoal is of little benefit so it is generally not used. If it’s been too long, then hospitalization is required. Depending on how much was consumed, treatment will differ. For low exposure, monitoring of blood sugar is all that’s required. For higher doses, an intravenous sugar-fluid drip, with potassium added, is started along with dietary supplements and anti-oxidants to protect the liver. If blood clotting is a problem, plasma transfusions can be required.
With mild exposure, most dogs do well with treatment. If major liver issues develop, the prognosis isn’t always as good.
The best means to protect your pet is not to use xylitol containing products in your home and be careful when buying diet baked goods if brought into your home. If you must use xylitol gum or oral products, keep them locked away, not on a counter top. Don’t throw any xylitol product in the inside trash, especially chewed gum. Xylitol is becoming a more and more commonly used sweetener, so constant vigilance is required. Calls to poison control due to xylitol toxicity are on the rise.