There is no question that people today value their dogs. In fact, there are a number of people who have actually chosen to have dogs instead of children, and who consider their canine companions to be every bit as much a family member as they would a human being! This makes it especially horrific when, every so often, someone inadvertently makes an innocent purchase at the grocery store that ends up being making their dog ill, and animal emergency center in many cases, causing death. Their purchase? Chewing gum. Who would ever have imagined that something so seemingly innocuous could have such power? How can this be?

First of all, dog owners should know that not all chewing gum is dangerous. Those still sweetened with sugar are fine, as are those whose sweetener is Sorbitol or Aspartame. This isn't to endorse these artificial sweeteners as "good" for a dog, but they are not in the same hazard category as the sugar substitute, Xylitol. Even a small amounts of Xylitol are toxic to dogs. Larger amounts can cause liver failure that leads to death. Xylitol is popularly used in place of sugar in chewing gum brands such as Icebreaker, Trident, Stride, Epic and Spry. It is also present in many sugar-free candies marketed for diabetics, and can be purchased for use as a sugar-like substance in home made recipes.

Xylitol is a natural product that has a third fewer calories than sugar. It stimulates the same receptors that register sweetness as do sugars, but unlike sugar, Xylitol doesn't cause the the pancreas to release insulin in people. Dogs, however, process Xylitol differently than do humans. When a dog eats a piece of gum or candy that contains Xylitol, the Xylitol is rapidly taken up by the bloodstream and the pancreas literally floods the animal with insulin. Such a rapid release of so much insulin dramatically lowers the dog's blood sugar, thrusting in into a state of hypoglycemia within minutes of ingesting the Xylitol. A dog that has ingested Xylitol needs to be seen as soon as possible at an animal hospital.

Symptoms of Xylitol toxicity include trembling, vomiting, weakness and lack of coordination, lethargy, seizures and coma. Even if the event occurs at night, the dog must receive treatment at an after hour pet hospital such as aec-d.com, quickly, preferably before the onset of symptoms. If it is known the dog consumed Xylitol, the animal emergency clinic will begin preemptive treatment, especially if it is displaying signs of hypoglycemia. There is no antidote for Xylitol, but sugar supplements, fluids and drugs that will shield the liver are helpful. By reading labels, keeping products containing Xylitol either out of your home or out of the dog's reach, and being aware of the signs of Xylitol toxicity, incidents of needless tragedy can be prevented.