Gun Dog Forum

Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), seizures, liver failure or even death in dogs.

Why is xylitol toxic to dogs?
In both humans and dogs, the level of blood sugar is controlled by the release of insulin from the pancreas. Xylitol does not stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas in humans. However, when non-primate species like dogs eat something containing xylitol, the xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in a potent release of insulin from the pancreas. This rapid release of insulin causes a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an effect that occurs within 10-60 minutes of eating the xylitol. Untreated, this hypoglycemia can be life-threatening.

How much xylitol is poisonous to a dog?
The dose of xylitol that can cause hypoglycemia in the dog has been reported between 50 milligrams (mg) of xylitol per pound of body weight (100 mg per kg). The higher the dose ingested, the more the risk of liver failure. The most common source of xylitol poisoning that Pet Poison Helpline* gets calls about comes from sugar-free gum. Some brands of gum contain fairly small amounts of xylitol, and it would take up to 9 pieces of gum to result in severe hypoglycemia in a 45 pound (20 kg) dog, while 45 pieces would need to be ingested to result in liver failure. With other common brands of gum which contain 1 g/piece of gum, only 2 pieces would result in severe hypoglycemia, while 10 pieces can result in liver failure. As there is a large range of xylitol in each different brand and flavor of gum, it is important to identify whether a toxic amount has been ingested.

What are the symptoms of xylitol poisoning?
Symptoms of xylitol poisoning develop rapidly, usually within 15-30 minutes of consumption. Signs of hypoglycemia may include any or all of the following:

Vomiting
Weakness
Lack of coordination or difficulty walking or standing
Depression or lethargy
Tremors
Seizures
Coma
In severe cases, the dog may develop seizures or liver failure. Dogs that develop liver failure from xylitol poisoning often show signs of hypoglycemia.

RatDog wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 11, 2020 7:50 am

Thanks for the info. I’m pretty sure it was the devil’s lettuce, he had the reefer madness lol. I don’t partake because I have to wiz for my job but my wife and some friends have been known to burn one now and again. Talked to some other people who’ve had the same thing happen and they sounded like the same symptoms. I guess we’ll know for sure when he starts listening to a lot of Pink Floyd and moves into the basement.

Where in NE PA? I grew up spending a lot of time at my grandparents farm near Dallas. Kind of close to Wilkesbarre. I’m headed back in May to chase turkeys. Beautiful country up there!


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NEhomer wrote:Fellow deadhead here OP and years back I was trimming my buddy's plants with him when I looked over and saw my Britt chewing down a nice lil' nugget. Sure enough, she went for a loop...head shaking, lack of coordination. I knew what it was so I just cracked her a beer and put on some Allman Bros. Lol! Remember that skit on SNL with Jimmy Carter talking down the bad acid trip?

Glad your pup's ok and one bit of advice; my dog has to be currently and actively bleeding out for me to "$$$leave him overnight$$$" at the Vet's.

Sharon wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 07, 2020 6:29 pm

What are you talking about Sir? Gas heating and no snow on the ground. Do you know what a roach is?

cjhills wrote:Changes the meaning dogs eating grass......Cj