Just read this on Yahoo News and thought I'd pass it along:
"Dog owners warned over sugar-free items"
Fri Sep 29, 6:56 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Keep those sugarless treats out of Fido's reach. Veterinarians warned on Friday that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them.
Their report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association appears to strengthen the suspected link between the sugar substitute xylitol, thought to make dogs sick, and possible liver failure.
Xylitol, a naturally occurring product, is found in many sugar-free chewing gums, candies, baked goods and toothpastes.
Researchers Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and Eric Dunayer with staff at a poison unit of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Urbana, Illinois, gathered information on eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products containing xylitol.
Each dog became ill, and five died or had to be put down because of liver failure, possibly from ingesting xylitol.
One dog who had to be euthanized had eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins containing about 1 pound (0.45 kg) of xylitol.
"People don't think sugar-free gum can kill their dog. I didn't before I got into this. But this is something people should be aware of," Gwaltney-Brant, who co-authored the study with Dunayer, said in a statement.
Gwaltney-Brant said for dogs, ingesting even a small amount of xylitol can trigger significant insulin release, which drops their blood sugar and can be fatal.
"A 22-pound (10-kg) dog who consumes one gram (0.03 ounces) of xylitol should be treated," she said, adding that further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Originally posted by SuzianneHi, thanks for the warning. Is this ingrediant to be found in any dog food/treat products? or is it only found in human foods? Personally I don't give Mills (my lab) sweets I stick to bones from the butcher or actual dog treats, so hopefully that means he is safe. However he does get the VERY occassional left over so I will be careful, I do use my empty low cal/diet drinks bottles to store his drinking water in the car for him during walks etc, I'm happy to say though I have always thoroughly rinsed them out first.
Just read this on Yahoo News and thought I'd pass it along:
"Dog owners warned over sugar-free items"
Fri Sep 29, 6:56 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Keep those sugarless treats out of Fido's reach. Veterinarians warned on Friday that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them.
Their report in the Journal t further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Originally posted by SuzianneDid you ever think that the dog that ate the chocolate covered doughnuts died or had to be put down cause of the chocolate .
Just read this on Yahoo News and thought I'd pass it along:
"Dog owners warned over sugar-free items"
Fri Sep 29, 6:56 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Keep those sugarless treats out of Fido's reach. Veterinarians warned on Friday that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them.
Their report in the Journal ...[text shortened]... t further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Chocolate is far more harmful to dogs than sugar .
Originally posted by SuzianneWho is giving their dog sugar-free gum?
Just read this on Yahoo News and thought I'd pass it along:
"Dog owners warned over sugar-free items"
Fri Sep 29, 6:56 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Keep those sugarless treats out of Fido's reach. Veterinarians warned on Friday that a commonly used sweetener might cause liver failure in dogs, and perhaps even kill them.
Their report in the Journal ...[text shortened]... t further studies were needed to definitely establish a cause-and-effect relationship.
Originally posted by stevetoddXylitol is a sugar substitute used in diet foods, chewing gum and the like. I don't believe any food made for dogs contain any sugar substitutes.
Hi, thanks for the warning. Is this ingrediant to be found in any dog food/treat products? or is it only found in human foods? Personally I don't give Mills (my lab) sweets I stick to bones from the butcher or actual dog treats, so hopefully that means he is safe. However he does get the VERY occassional left over so I will be careful, I do use my empty lo ...[text shortened]... him during walks etc, I'm happy to say though I have always thoroughly rinsed them out first.
Apparently, all the dogs that got sick in this study had gotten into the products themselves, as dogs will, since they have a sweet tooth like humans, rather than being given the items. Still, you gotta be alert. Dogs will get into anything, including your garbage, where you may have thrown an item containing Xylitol away.
Originally posted by boarmanThere's no doubt of that. What this article is about is the artificial sweetener Xylitol, which can cause liver failure in dogs. The article says that even dogs who have ingested as little as one gram of this substance should be examined by a vet. Dogs can eat far more than one gram of chocolate before falling ill, especially big dogs. Smaller dogs are more susceptible to the nasty effects of chocolate on dogs.
Did you ever think that the dog that ate the chocolate covered doughnuts died or had to be put down cause of the chocolate .
Chocolate is far more harmful to dogs than sugar .
Originally posted by impatientXylitol appears in a lot more items than just sugar-free gum. Sugar-free candies, chocolates and pastries (which dogs love) can also contain Xylitol.
Who is giving their dog sugar-free gum?
Unless you *know* an item does not contain Xylitol, all sugar-free items should be kept away from dogs, preferably up out of their reach, in a cabinet, or in the fridge.
Originally posted by gambit3Speaking of aspirin, this reminds me that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is toxic to cats. So never, ever give your cat a Tylenol or any pain-reliever containing acetaminophen.
So are over the counter drugs such as aspirin.
Aspirin, on the other hand, is often given to dogs as a pain reliever, usually for joint pain or after surgeries. The most common aspirin product given to dogs is Ascriptin, which is a type of buffered aspirin.
Dosages are rarely the same for humans and pets, so play it safe and never give your pet any medicine unless it is prescribed by a veterinarian.
Originally posted by SuzianneSeems to me that if you are not a MD or a DVM you should not be trying to diagnose a medical problem and prescribe the treatment. Drugs can be dangerous when used incorrectly.
Speaking of aspirin, this reminds me that acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, is toxic to cats. So never, ever give your cat a Tylenol or any pain-reliever containing acetaminophen.
Aspirin, on the other hand, is often given to dogs as a pain reliever, usually for joint pain or after surgeries. The most common aspirin product given to dogs ...[text shortened]... so play it safe and never give your pet any medicine unless it is prescribed by a veterinarian.
Originally posted by gambit3Please read the entire message before passing your grand judgement. I'm not diagnosing anything nor am I prescribing anything. Just because you are incorrect with your "advice", there's no need to play "holier than thou" with me.
Seems to me that if you are not a MD or a DVM you should not be trying to diagnose a medical problem and prescribe the treatment. Drugs can be dangerous when used incorrectly.