Dog owners are being urged to keep their pets away from a common sugar substitute that can prove fatal to them - even in small amounts. The Blue Cross has issued a warning over xylitol, a sugar substitute, that is regularly used in sugar-free chewing gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, and vitamin supplements.
It is also used by a small amount of peanut butter brands, and other 'low sugar' or sugar-free products. According to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service, there were more than 250 cases of xylitol poisoning in the UK in 2016. In the vast majority of these cases, the dogs ate some of their owner's chewing gum.
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A Blue Cross statement reads: "At least one of these pets sadly died. There will have been many more cases of xylitol poisoning in the UK that went unreported.
"Prevention is key; all human food should be kept out of the reach of dogs, but be particularly vigilant around products containing xylitol.
"Ensure no packs of chewing gum are left lying around the home or kept in pockets and handbags that your pet can raid."
When consumed by dogs, xylitol can cause low blood sugar levels as their pancreas confuses it with real sugar, making it release more insulin. This then confuses the body, causing it to start removing the real sugar in the body.
Xylitol can also cause liver failure in dog - but it currently remains unknown what causes this to happen.
If consumed, owners should take their dogs to the vets immediately as symptoms, such as vomiting, lethargy, disorientation, collapse, seizures and coma, can appear within just half-an-hour or take up to 12 hours to show themselves.
The Blue Cross statement adds: "Products can have widely varying levels of xylitol in them, but only small amounts of the substance can cause serious harm.
"Depending on the concentration of xylitol and the size of the dog, just one stick of chewing gum is enough to be toxic and make your pet critically ill.
"If you suspect that your dog has eaten something containing xylitol, you need to get them to the vets straight away as it can be absorbed into the blood stream rapidly.
"If a drop in blood sugar levels is prevented or brought under control quickly, the prognosis is good.
"Delays in veterinary intervention can cause further complications, irreversible damage and increase the likelihood of xylitol poisoning becoming fatal. Ensure that, wherever possible, you take the packaging of the product that your dog has consumed to the vets.
"If you get to the vets early enough then your vet may be able to induce vomiting to get the product out of your dog’s system, greatly reducing the chances of any serious damage.
"After this, your dog is likely to be put on a sugar intravenous drip to regulate blood sugar levels and kept under close monitoring for two to three days.
"If the liver is affected, the condition is far more serious and will normally require specialist life-saving treatment."
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