Sugarless Gum Toxicity in Dogs

Symptoms

• A dog that is unusually quiet and tired might be sick.dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com
  
  After first ingesting the sugarless gum, vomiting is usually seen. The dog will likely become quite tired and perhaps stumble around. The pet might even collapse and have seizures. If no treatment is sought, it could be fatal, depending on how large the dog is, and how much xylitol was eaten.
  
  

Hypoglycemia

• Small breed puppies can suffer from low blood sugar, but it is not as common in larger, older dogs.puppy image by Waseem Ghattas from Fotolia.com
  
  When the dog eats this sugar substitute, the body releases insulin. It is followed by a decrease in the natural glucose, or sugar, in the blood, which will cause hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar is what causes the fatigue and confusion, even seizures. Many other problems can cause these symptoms. All are serious and need medical attention.
  
  

Liver Damage

• A simple blood test will determine blood clotting problems.test tubes image by Ruta Saulyte from Fotolia.com
  
  In high doses, it can also cause liver damage. Liver tissue will actually start to die. In extreme cases it causes problems with the blood-clotting mechanism of the body, and that means the dog can bleed out. Unfortunately, not all dogs that suffer from acute liver failure will show any signs of illness. Or they appear sick, and then get better. Even if the pet appears fine, if they did ingest xylitol, they need to be seen immediately for treatment.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Bringing in the package could help your vetpack of chewing gums image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  Once the dog is taken to the animal clinic, the veterinarian will do an initial exam. Blood work might be done in the lab, but it will not be able to confirm xylitol toxicity. There is no test for that. Instead, it is used to check the blood glucose and liver enzymes, and to see if the body's blood clotting ability is damaged. Bringing in the wrappers might be beneficial if it states how much xylitol is in the gum.
  
  

Treatment

• A blood transfusion might be needed.blood transfusion dropper image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
  
  If the dog is brought in quickly after eating the xylitol product, the hospital staff might induce vomiting to get as much of the toxin out of the body. Liquid charcoal is not beneficial and will not bind with the xylitol. The dog will likely be hospitalized and observed so the veterinary technicians can monitor blood values and the well-being of the dog. Fluids will be given through an IV catheter, as well as a blood transfusion if necessary.
  
  

Prognosis

• The prognosis is good if the dog only has hypoglycemia with no other complications. With fluids and supportive care, it should be resolved in a matter of days. Acute liver failure and blood-clotting issues are much more serious, and the road to recovery is much bleaker. These illnesses are difficult to treat and are most likely fatal to the pet. That is why seeking treatment from a veterinarian is time-sensitive.