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Bubble Gum is
Of all the things they chew, gum
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Certain kinds of bubble gum that contain a product called "xylitol" can cause serious problems when ingested by your dog. Xylitol is a 5-carbon sugar alcohol that looks and tastes like sugar. Many products on the market, including sugar-free candy, gums, breath fresheners, toothpastes, sunblock, and other nutritional supplements contain xylitol. Xylitol Can Be Beneficial to Humans In 2005, the number of reported animal toxicities related to xylitol increased 150% over the previous year. The use of xylitol as a sugar substitute has gained popularity in recent years because in people it has very poor absorption (less than 30%) and subsequently causes only minor increases in blood glucose and insulin levels. This makes it a great product for diabetics and people looking to loose weight. Xylitol also has reported anticavity effects which explains its frequent use in chewing gums. Xylitol Can Be Harmful to Dogs! Conversely, xylitol in dogs has a much higher absorption rate (approximately 70%), and causes an insulin surge that can lead to a rapid drop in blood glucose levels. In fact, the same gram/kilogram dose of xylitol ingested by dogs causes an increase 6 times greater than that caused by glucose. This means that a dog's blood sugar can fall to dangerous levels despite eating a relatively small amount of "sugar substitute". Dosages of 0.2-0.4 g/kg of xylitol have been shown to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Toxic Doses Vary, and So Do Symptoms Different products contain varying amounts of xylitol. Products whose primary ingredients consist of xylitol (such as the breath fresheners "Koolerz" and "Ice-breakers") contain as much as 1.5-2 g/piece. This means that a 10 kg dog (22 lbs) need only ingest 1-2 pieces to have signs of hypoglycemia. On the other hand, popular gums, such as "Orbit" contain about 0.3-0.4 g/piece, so the same weight dog would need to eat 6-7 pieces to have a similar effect. Since manufacturers are not required to report the exact amount of xylitol that is in their product, it is best to assume ANY ingestion of xylitol by your dog to be potentially toxic. Signs of hypoglycemia can begin as early as 30 minutes after ingestion and can persist for 1-2 days. Some dogs have a delayed onset of hypoglycemia, up to 12-18 hours later. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include: weakness, depression, disorientation, ataxia (unsteady walking), collapse, and seizures. It Gets Worse... Xylitol has also been shown to cause liver failure in dogs. There is much research that needs to be conducted in this area, but it seems that many dogs that do not show symptoms of hypoglycemia can go on to develop problems with their liver if left untreated. Dosages of greater than 1.5-2 g/kg are thought to cause hepatic necrosis (death of liver cells). Therefore, pets eating large amounts of products containing xylitol should seek immediate veterinary assistance. Symptoms of liver failure can include: vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking, lack of appetite, jaundice and bleeding abnormalities. What can I expect my veterinarian to do if my dog ingests something containing xylitol? Appropriate treatment of xylitol toxicity will depend on the amount of ingestion and severity of symptoms. If ingested within 1-2 hours, your veterinarian will likely induce vomiting in your dog. Unlike many other toxins, the use of activated charcoal is not helpful as it does not bind to xylitol. Your veterinarian will likely recommend blood work (to check for hypoglycemia and elevated liver enzymes). Your pet may need to be placed on an IV dextrose drip and kept in the hospital for supportive care. It is recommended to feed frequent small meals and blood may need to be monitored up to 72 hours after ingestion of xylitol. There are many new products coming on the market containing this toxic substance, so be on the lookout and don't let your dog eat anything that contains xylitol!
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