Can Chewing Gum Kill My Dog?
The answer, surprisingly, is yes. Sugar free chewing gum frequently contains the artificial sweetener Xylitol, which is extremely dangerous. It triggers a sudden release of insulin which causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar and can lead to liver damage. Other products containing Xylitol could be toothpaste, mouthwash and cough syrup, but more worryingly, some cakes, biscuits and sweets, particularly those made for diabetics.
The hypoglycaemic dose of Xylitol for dogs is considered to be approximately 0.1g per kg bodyweight. A typical stick of gum contains 0.3 to 0.4 g of Xylitol, which means that a 10lb dog could be poisoned by as little as 1 ½ sticks, or a 70lb dog by 10 ½ sticks.
Clinical signs can develop in as few as 30 minutes after ingestion. Signs may include one or more of the following:
Vomiting/diarrhoea
Ataxia (unco-ordinated movements)
Depression
Seizures
Coma and death if untreated
If your dog has eaten Xylitol within the past 2 hours, the vet can try to make him vomit to prevent any more absorbsion, and/or give him a charcoal based fluid to help absorb the stomach contents. In addition, we would usually place him on a dextrose drip for at least 24 hours to raise blood sugar levels.
We may also need to monitor liver enzymes, potassium and phosphorous, and blood clotting levels for 2-3 days.
If you suspect that your dog has eaten anything containing Xylitol,don't hesitate – call us!