Do you have sugar-free gum in your purse or pocket? Is your purse or jacket ever within reach of a curious dog? Do you ever share your own food with your dog?
Some sugar-free foods, including many brands of sugar free gum and some snacks, contain a sweetener called xylitol that is very dangerous to dogs. It causes a crash in blood sugar levels, leading to collapse. A news item from the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product ... Therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately."
A 2006 article from the University of Tennessee reports that
dogs who survive the immediate crisis sometimes succumb to liver failure later.
I recently read an account of a dog who suffered xylitol poisoning when her owner shared some sugar-free pudding with her, so check the ingredient list if you like to share your own goodies with your dog!
No comments:
Post a Comment