Xylitol Warning – Dog
Pet Insurance Australia is issuing an important reminder to dog owners in regardĀ to the popular sugar-free alternative xylitol.
āEven though xylitol is safe for human consumption it can cause serious complications for our pets,ā Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. āIt is also appearing in some products that owners may feed their dogs, such asĀ peanut butter, so itās very important that pet owners are vigilant when it comesĀ to checking human-grade food before feeding it to their pets.ā
As a naturally occurring substance, is it widely used an alternative to sugar in many human foods. However, for dogs, it is highly toxic and can lead to poisoningĀ quickly.
āIn very small doses this ingredient can be very dangerous to dogs,ā CrightonĀ warns. āThe sugar-free trend has seen the increase in many products nowĀ containing xylitol rather than traditionalĀ forms of sugar.ā
Poisoning can develop quickly within 15-30mins of ingestion and causeĀ hypoglycemia in dogs. Symptoms include;
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Weakness
- Tremors and uncontrollable shaking
In extreme cases, this can lead to seizures, coma, liver failure and even death.
āIn 2018 we saw over 2,000 cases of unspecific poisoning and toxicity fromĀ exposure and ingestion,ā Crighton says. āThis highlights the importance ofĀ checking that the unsuspecting products, that our pets are exposed to byĀ accident, need to be limited for safety reasons.ā
Understandably this figure will also include other forms of exposure and poisonings.
āIn many cases, the cause of poisoning will not be confirmed due to theĀ importance of treating the animal quickly to prevent death,ā Crighton says.Ā āMany vets will not wait to confirm the cause as rapid treatment is vital.ā
Pet owners need to be aware that even a few sticks of gum containing xylitol canĀ cause extreme illness.
āMany pet owners will also use peanut butter in home-made dog treats andĀ training aids,ā Crighton warns. āSome peanut butters are now switching sugar forĀ xylitol, so we are urging all pet owners to double check the ingredients beforeĀ feeding any human grade foods to dogs.ā
If you suspect your pet has eaten any amount of xylitol it is important to seekĀ veterinary treatment quickly. Rapid treatment is paramount in treatment. PetsĀ that receive quick treatment before symptoms start, can recover quickly.
āIf you use any products that contain xylitol please keep them out of your petsĀ reach and locked away as you would other dangerous products,ā CrightonĀ recommends. āIf you suspect your pet has ingested any xylitol seek veterinaryĀ treatment immediately.ā
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Nadia Crighton is a renowned and accomplished professional in the fields of Journalism, Public Relations, and Writing, with an extensive career spanning over 25 years, 20 of which have been dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of pets.
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