Xylitol danger!!

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Ilovedogs — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:27:06 GMT

Thanks for posting this information.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Alexander Campbell — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:07:43 GMT

Hi Christine (and everyone else!)

Sorry - I've just noticed this mail!

I'm the manager of the VPIS in London and I should tell you all that this is indeed a potential hazard to dogs (but possibly other animals as well). Xylitol is a potent stimulator of insulin release and in high doses can also cause liver damage. Xylitol is found as a sweetener in many products (including medications!). Some chewing gums contain it - but most worrying for us id the fact that there are now sugar-substitutes for use in baking on the UK market that contain 100% Xylitol. the compound is not broken down in the cooking process and so goodies made with it could be lethal.

The veterinary dental washes do also contain it but at very low concentrations and so toxiciity from those products is very unliekely. If you'd like more info - drop us a line.

Cheers

Alex

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Mac Feather — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:18:55 GMT

we stopped stocking the dental water additive product as we were concerned people would use it neat or the pet would go and eat the entire bottle.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Sarah S — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:37:54 GMT

We had a dog come in last week who had eaten some of her owners calcium tablets. After checking the ingredients we discovered that it had xylitol in them. Phoned VPIS who said give activated charcoal, IV fluids and check blood glucose regularly for hypogylcaemia and also check liver and kidney function. Dog seems to be ok but I suppose only time will tell to see if her liver or kidneys have been affected.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

hobbits — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:11:06 GMT

we heard about it from our vet that has just come back from america, it is much more prevalent over there. There was also a rumour that mr. kipling were going to start using xylitol in their range, which would increase the incidence I think. I emailed them to request confirmation, but havent heard back yet.

the dose is important, I think if you look there is also a small amount in metacam oral etc..very common ingredient in low doses. I did get all the toxic doses from the VPIS sometime ago. will dig them out when back at work thursday and post

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:56:37 GMT

Toxins tend to work like that hence someone can smoke like a chimney and drink like a fish and die at 90 another can do that and die at 25. It depends on metabolism to some degree. Possibly being wrapped up a lot of gum went though and was not digested or he may have had a reaction that was not noticed but had cleared by the time the bloods were done.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

bongo — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:46:18 GMT

we had a warning up at work about xylitol toxicity last year

when my mum and dads dog was a pup (he is now 6) we left him in the car whilst we did some shopping, came back and he had eaten a whole pack of my dads extra chewing gums, at the time i was completely unaware of this so we just assumed he would be ok, which he was, had bloods shortly afterwards, just pre op when he was castrated and everything normal. not to say that it isnt a prob because i know it is but i find with this type of thing it seems to effect some a lot more that others, anybody else find this?

Re: Xylitol danger!!

nicky shoult — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:38:15 GMT

I was speaking to rep about this the other day and he has said that it will only cause problems if the animal drank about 50 bottles in a row- forgot to ask however if it has a build up in the body!

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Claire Cameron — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:43:41 GMT

I noticed that recently and wondered about it as I had heard Xylitol was toxic, surely it sends out the wrong message by even having a small amount in,

In my opinion its like saying to a client they can give their dog a small piece of chocolate?

Also, if a dog that manages to get the whole bottle for whatever reason...? I wonder if the bottle contains a warning on?

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Emma Purnell — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:25:51 GMT

[quote user="Louisesadieandshads"]

Yes, I have heard of this but never seen it. What interested me is that the doggy dental wash (for adding to dog's water) contains xylitol.

[/quote]

We spoke to the company about this while putting together a 'Common Poisons to be aware of' board for our reception to raise client awareness and they responded by saying the amount present in the mouth wash was so small that it would have no impact on pets it was used to help. Just don't let them drink the whole bottle I assume!

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:34:29 GMT

One doctor i work with, her dog actually ate some (unsure of amt) sugar free gum which of course contained the toxic xylitol! She was put on fluids and the basic "detox" protocol was followed (such as if it were rat poison) her blood glucose was monitored. She has survived. We are still unsure of how much she actually ingested. I tell every client that comes into our clinic about the toxicity! We also have a great bulletin board in our lobby that describes many different "unknown" toxicities in client terms.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:51:17 GMT

Thanks for that have hit the rhodesian sites with the info.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:56:49 GMT

both actually! one of each :) and thank you.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Christine Chapman — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:33:42 GMT

I agree it's a wonderful site! I love your puddy tats, are they Bengals, Ocicats?

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:27:50 GMT

no problem. that's why this place is great to help spread the word! :)

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Christine Chapman — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:20:45 GMT

Thanks for that Steph. that is really interesting and scary at the same time!! We have never come across it here!

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:14:57 GMT

i've know this for years. it's also dangerous to cats too. I think it was recently in the news though with this:

From "Our Dogs" October 31st 2008

A popular sweetener found in chewing gum and used in cooking has been blamed for the agonising death of two pet dogs. The case in Australia, being investigated by the RSPCA, has prompted an urgent warning that the artificial sweetener xylitol is highly toxic to dogs and cats. It is not harmful to humans but the amount in one stick of chewing gum could kill a family pet.

The dogs' owners are angry that they had no warning about the sweetener's potential dangers. The family's dogs ate most of a batch of 60 homemade petit fours sweetened with xylitol. Both vomited late that night and were lethargic and not hungry the next day. They assumed the dogs had bellyache from overeating. It was not until two days later that they realised how sick they were. The dogs were rushed to the vet, but died from internal bleeding.

Australian Veterinary spokesman Dr David Mason said if owners suspected a dog or cat had consumed xylitol, they should rush the animal to a vet within an hour or two to have a chance of a full recovery.

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Rachel Jayne — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 13:41:54 GMT

That's mad!

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Vicky RVN — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:38:15 GMT

I've not heard of that before, sounds scary!

And Louise, that's quite concerning!

Re: Xylitol danger!!

Louise B — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:40:46 GMT

Yes, I have heard of this but never seen it. What interested me is that the doggy dental wash (for adding to dog's water) contains xylitol.