Xylitol is fine for you, but pet poisonings are on the rise
The use of xylitol has increased dramatically in the last five years, and the number of xylitol pet poisonings has more than doubled in that time, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. Cases include dogs that have eaten gummies and other edible forms of marijuana.
Xylitol has fewer calories than sugar, but it’s not an artificial sweetener. It’s found naturally in berries and plums and other fruits as well as in corn, oats, mushrooms, lettuce and trees. It’s good for people but potentially lethal for pets, especially dogs.
Frequently used in candy and sugar-free gum, xylitol is also added to peanut butter, toothpaste, nasal sprays, sleep aids, shampoo, deodorant, multivitamins, prescription sedatives and medications, antacids, stool softeners, make-up remover, smoking cessation gums, and marijuana edibles.
“Some research suggests that the chemical compound may have positive health benefits for people, including better dental health and prevention of ear infections,” said Ahna Brutlag, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, which is affiliated with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
But it can kill dogs, who sometimes suffer “a precipitous drop in blood sugar,” she said. “Seizures, brain damage and death are not uncommon. Liver failure can set in hours or days later.”
Symptoms include decreasing activity, weakness, staggering, lack of coordination, collapse and seizures.
Marijuana edibles are a triple threat because they contain xylitol and THC, and there can be negative interactions between the two substances.
“Xylitol smells good and tastes good,” so dogs love it, Dr. Brutlag said, adding that cats are not as susceptible to xylitol.
Many of the calls to the Pet Poison Helpline are about Labrador retrievers, she said. That will come as no surprise to Lab lovers. The food-motivated breed is notorious for stealing food, raiding purses and ingesting items that aren’t generally considered edible, including light bulbs, small batteries and jewelry. And there are a lot of Labs around — They’re still the top dog on the list of American Kennel Club registrations.
Golden retrievers, German shepherds and Chihuahuas are also the subjects of many calls, according to helpline staffers.
So what’s a pet lover to do? Read labels. It will be listed among the
ingredients.
“Xylitol is not cheap, so I don’t expect to see it in the most popular brands” of consumer products, Dr. Brutlag said. It’s more likely to be found in weight-loss, low-calorie, and some products considered “healthy” or “natural,” she said.
The Preventive Vet website ( www.preventativevet.lists products containing xylitol by name. Candies and gums listed include Airheads, Dentyne, Orbit, Mentos, Tic Tac, Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit and Extra Ice, and Hershey’s Breath Savers and Ice Breakers.
Sugar-free chewing gum is the No. 1 source of xylitol poisoning, and xylitol is the No. 2 cause of all dog poisonings, right behind chocolate, Dr. Brutlag said. If you see your dog exhibiting any symptoms, which can include diarrhea and vomiting, call your veterinarian immediately. Because these things so often happen at night or on weekends, you may need to call the helpline, which operates 24/7.
Veterinarians sometimescom) call Pet Poison Helpline to check on a pet’s symptoms, Dr. Brutlag said. Vets generally take only one toxicology course in school, and the symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of many diseases and other conditions.
Xylitol poisoning diagnosis involves “a lot of detective work,” she said.
Dr. Brutlag, who has her own dog, Odin, is one of the veterinarians who answer the Helpline, and they do an amazing job, considering they don’t get to see or put their hands on the pet. Blood work and urine analysis are a big part of the detective work and diagnosis, she said.
Pet Poison Helpline isn’t just for dogs and cats; calls also come in for birds, small and large mammals, and exotic species. The cost is $65, and that includes follow-up consultations. The number to call is 800-213-6680. For more information, go to www.petpoisonhelpline.com.