One More Thing To Watch Out For

[DogMom]

http://www.diabetes daily.com/ edelman/2006/ 05/xylitol- sugar-s.php
WARNING!
To all dog owners pass this on to everyone you can

Last Friday evening, I arrived home from work, fed Chloe, our 24 Lb.
Dachshund, just as I normally do. Ten minutes later I walked into the
Den just in time to see her head inside the pocket of Katie's
friend's purse. She had a guilty look on her face so I looked closer
And saw a small package of sugar-free gum. It contained xylitol. I
Remembered that I had recently read that sugar-free gum can be deadly
For dogs so I jumped on line and looked to see if xylitol was the
Ingredient. I found the first website below and it was the one. Next,
I called our vet. She said to bring her in immediately.
Unfortunately, it was still rush hour and it took me almost 1/2 hour
To get there. Meanwhile, since this was her first case, our vet found
Another website to figure out the treatment. She took Chloe and said
They would induce her to vomit, give her a charcoal drink to absorb
The toxin (even though they don't think it works) then they would
Start an iv with dextrose. The xylitol causes dogs to secrete insulin
So their blood sugar drops very quickly. The second thing that
Happens is liver failure. If that happens, even with aggressive
Treatment, it can be difficult to save them. She told us she would
Call us.

Almost two hours later, the vet called and said that contents of her
Stomach contained 2-3 gum wrappers and that her blood sugar had
Dropped from 90 to 59 in 30 minutes. She wanted us to take Chloe to
Another hospital that has a critical care unit operating around the
Clock. We picked her up and took her there. They had us call the
ASPCA poison control for a case number and for a donation, their
Doctors would direct Chloe's doctor on treatment. They would continue
The iv, monitor her blood every other hour and then in 2 days test
Her liver function. She ended up with a central line in her jugular
Vein since the one in her leg collapsed, just as our regular vet had
Feared.

Chloe spent almost the entire weekend in the critical care hospital.
After her blood sugar was stabilized, she came home yesterday. They
Ran all the tests again before they released her and so far, no sign
Of liver damage. Had I not seen her head in the purse, she probably
Would have died and we wouldn't even had known why.

Three vets told me this weekend, that they were amazed that I even
Knew about it since they are first learning about it too. Please tell
Everyone you know about xylitol and dogs. It may save another life.

[cbrrescuemom]

a copy of the ASPCA's toxicology report on Xylitol as well as information regarding other toxix substances like grapes and raisins.

The link to the report is no longer valid but if anybody wants the pdf file - just holler.

[MickeyD'sMom]

Barbara:
Can you put that up on the website? If not please shoot me a copy to sandraestewart@yahoo.com I had no idea about the gum. Thanks ever so much for that valuable information.

[PrinceAndyFlores]

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet From ASPCA Web site
- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol

Warm Weather Hazards
- Animal toxins—toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
- Blue-green algae in ponds
- Citronella candles
- Cocoa mulch
- Compost piles Fertilizers
- Flea products
- Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
- Swimming-pool treatment supplies
- Fly baits containing methomyl
- Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde

Medication
Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:
- Pain killers
- Cold medicines
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills

Cold Weather Hazards
- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting products
- Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards
- Fabric softener sheets
- Mothballs
- Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

Holiday Hazards
- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.
- Electrical cords
- Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction—most often occurs with kittens!)
- Batteries
- Glass ornaments

Non-toxic Substances for Dogs and Cats
The following substances are considered to be non-toxic, although they may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some animals:
- Water-based paints
- Toilet bowl water
- Silica gel
- Poinsettia
- Cat litter
- Glue traps
- Glow jewelry