Xylitol (in chewing gum and other products) DEADLY for pets

[Lodestar]

With America on a weight-loss craze, everything nowadays is sugar-free. While this is likely good for you, it’s potentially very dangerous for your dog.

The problem is that many sugar-free products contain xylitol. So what exactly is this scary sounding chemical (pronounced zi-li-tol)? Xylitol is a sugar-free substance used as a sugar substitute. It’s commonly called a “sugar alcohol,” and is naturally found in certain fruit (in small amounts). Xylitol has gained recent popularity because it is sugar-free, reducing caloric intake for humans. It also is thought to protect cavities in people.

Xylitol is commonly found in many household products including the following:

Diabetic snacks (e.g., gums)
Diabetic foods
Baked goods
Gums
Mints
Candies
Mouthwashes
Toothpastes (in large amounts!)
Chewable sugar-free multivitamins
Chewable sugar-free prenatal medications
Nasal sprays
Some medications

http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-toxins-poisons/xylitol-poisoning-dogs-a-deadly-sugar-substitue

[catbyte]

1. CBS Evening News had a prominent spot about that tonight. Glad they're getting out the word.

[bananas]

2. "including oral pills over-the-counter like melatonin or prescription medications like gabapentin"

Medications (including oral pills over-the-counter like melatonin or prescription medications like gabapentin)

Didn't expect that.
Guess it has some properties as a binder or filler.

[bananas]

3. It's also used in some water additives for pets

for example:

http://www.virbacvet.com/products/detail/c.e.t.-aquadent-drinking-water-additive

Is the xylitol contained in C.E.T. AQUADENT® Drinking Water Additive safe for dogs?

Xylitol is included in C.E.T. AQUADENT Water Additive because of its significant benefits in oral health. Research shows that xylitol, a five-carbon sugar alcohol, has an antibacterial effect on oral bacteria, anti-adhesive properties against dental plaque, as well as anti-calculus forming properties in both dogs and cats.1

Virbac has received questions like yours involving a mistaken association of C.E.T. AQUADENT Water Additive and the toxicity of xylitol in dogs. Frequently, these reports have misinterpreted the ASPCA’s information on the subject. It should be noted that as an animal health company committed to the health and well-being of animals, Virbac supports the ASPCA’s campaign to educate pet owners about the dangers of xylitol contained in common human products such as gum, candy, and sugar replacement products. For example, only one piece of chewing gum can contain as much as 1,000 mg of xylitol. This amount of xylitol may be toxic to a 22 lb. (10 kg) dog.

It should also be noted that C.E.T. AQUADENT Water Additive has been specifically formulated for use in dogs and cats with a safe level of xylitol when used according to label directions. In fact, Dr. Eric Dunayer, formerly of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), board certified by the American Board of Toxicology, Inc. (DABT) and having a special interest in xylitol toxicosis, specifically states in a risk assessment paper written about C.E.T. AQUADENT Water Additive:

“Based on published studies of xylitol toxicity in dogs and the APCC’s experience, proper use of this product (according to label directions) should not present a risk of hypoglycemia in dogs. In addition, no significant hepatic toxicity would be expected either.”2

Because xylitol is rapidly metabolized, accumulation in the body does not occur from one consumption episode to the next. To illustrate further, that same 22 lb. dog mentioned in the example above, would need to consume 5 gallons (~40 lbs.) of water treated with C.E.T. AQUADENT Water Additive in a single drinking session to receive a toxic amount of xylitol. Therefore, pets drinking water treated with C.E.T. AQUADENT Water Additive, when used according to label directions, receive levels of xylitol well below that which has been determined to be toxic to dogs.

References:

1. Clarke, David E., BVSc, DAVDC, FAVD, MACVSc; 2006, J Vet Dent, 23(2).
2. Dunayer, EK and Khan, SA, (February 2006), Risk Assessment of Xylitol in Dogs and Cats.