![]() ![]() Q: How can xylitol toxicity in dogs be prevented?Ī: Ensure you store any household products that contain xylitol, such as hair products or over-the-counter medications, safely out of your pet’s reach. More serious liver damage may be irreversible, despite aggressive treatment. In general, hypoglycemia will resolve in 24 hours, but mild liver damage can take several days. Treatment can include intravenous fluids, dextrose administration, liver protectant medications, and regular blood glucose and liver function monitoring. Q: How is xylitol toxicity in dogs treated?Ī: A good prognosis is best achieved through immediate treatment after your dog eats a xylitol-containing product. If you did not see actual xylitol ingestion, various diagnostic tests-mainly blood work-will be performed, to rule out other potential hypoglycemia and liver damage causes. Dogs with xylitol toxicity will generally display severely low blood glucose and low potassium levels, and possibly liver enzyme abnormalities. Then, a diagnosis will be made based on your dog’s signs, their physical exam findings, and blood work results. However, that can be more challenging if your dog exhibits toxicity signs, but no product is in plain sight. Q: How is xylitol toxicity in dogs diagnosed?Ī: If you notice your dog eating something they shouldn’t, like a pack of sugar-free gum, you can easily diagnose xylitol toxicity. Liver failure signs include depression, jaundice, vomiting, and clotting problems. Signs of liver injury or failure can be slow to appear, and you may not notice an issue until 24 to 48 hours after ingestion. In some cases, dogs who ingest a large amount of xylitol will suffer liver injury. Their blood sugar can drop drastically in as little as 30 minutes after ingestion, or signs may take 12 to 18 hours to appear. Q: What are xylitol toxicity signs in dogs?Ī: Xylitol toxicity in dogs can create one of two problems-severe hypoglycemia or liver failure. And, as with all other potentially toxic products, ensure foods and other items that contain xylitol are inaccessible to your pet. Some of the most common products that contain xylitol include:Īny sugar-free food, plus a wide range of oral hygiene products and medications, can be hazardous to your dog, so carefully checking the ingredient list before feeding your pup a snack is essential. Most commonly, xylitol is used as a sugar-free sweetener in a variety of foods, as well as non-food items. ![]() Q: Which products contain xylitol?Ī: Xylitol is naturally found in berries, plums, corn, oats, mushrooms, lettuce, trees, and some other fruits. In people, xylitol in large amounts can have a mild laxative effect, but does not cause toxicity. No cases of cats suffering from xylitol ingestion have been reported. Question: Which pets does xylitol affect?Īnswer: Ingested xylitol causes a unique reaction in dogs, who are the only domestic animal in which xylitol toxicity has been reported. Before giving your pet a special treat, learn more about xylitol, products that contain the toxic substance, and its dangerous effects on dogs, as well as diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, is found in a wide array of products, and can be deadly to dogs. The sweet treat or peanut butter-stuffed Kong you give your furry pal may be more hazardous than you think. ![]()
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