Pet Articles
Sugar Substitute Can Make Dogs Ill
By
Oct 11, 2006, 17:27

The October 1st Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a report which provides clinical evidence that the sugar substitute Xylitol may cause liver failure in dogs. While veterinarians have suspected that the sugar substitute Xylitol can make dogs sick, there is now evidence of an association between the product and severe illness. Apparently a person can absorb about 50 percent of Xylitol, but dogs seem to absorb almost 100 percent. Not all dogs become ill after ingesting Xylitol, but it has been suggested that if an owner suspects that a dog has eaten Xylitol, they should immediately contact their veterinarian.

As Xylitol is being used in more baked goods, candies, chewing gum, and toothpaste, veterinarians are seeing more cases of illness in dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Poison Control Center reports that in 2003 they had 3 cases of Xylitol poisoning. However, the number of Xylitol poisonings has been growing each year. In 2004 there were 82 cases, in 2005, 193 cases and 140 cases during the first half of this year. This article is brought to you by the APPMA Government Affairs group.

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