Mulnix Animal Clinic - Small Animal Hospital - Fort Collins, Colorado
 
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol or sweetener  most  commonly found in sugar-free gum, mints, nicotine gum, some vitamins, oral-care products and baked goods.  While it is considered safe in people, dogs can develop serious, even life-threatening, illness from Xylitol  ingestion.  Xylitol  is as sweet as sucrose however only has 2/3 the calories of sugar. 
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This makes it an ideal sweetener for diabetics and weight management.  It has also been found to prevent oral bacteria from producing the acids that damage tooth surfaces.  This is why it is commonly found in sugar-less gum, toothpaste, and other oral care products.  Other sugar alcohols such as sorbitol and mannitol have little to no adverse effect on dogs.  Other artificial sweeteners are also regarded as generally safe for dogs.  

Xylitol does not affect cats.  However,  ingestion of very small amounts of xylitol in dogs may result in hypoglycemia, a serious drop in blood sugar, and it can cause liver damage and/or failure.  Clinical signs include loss of coordination, vomiting, collapse,  and seizures.  These signs can develop within 15 minutes to 12 hours following ingestion and progress very quickly.  As little as 0.05gm/kg may be toxic to your pet.  One piece of gum typically contains 0.22 to 1.0gm of xylitol.  This amounts to 1 piece of gum for a 10 pound dog may result in a toxicity.  Seek immediate help if known ingestion occurs.  Treatments include inducing vomit if
caught very early, IV dextrose (sugar) and fluids, and close monitoring of blood sugar, liver
values and coagulation profiles.  

Prognosis is good if caught very early and treated aggressively and guarded to poor if
liver failure develops.
 


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