Posted on 06/05/2008 6:04:42 AM PDT by fings
For those of you that can walk and chew gum at the same time, here’s an article you must read.
(WILMINGTON -- An artificial sweetener can be deadly for dogs, and a local dog owner learned that the hard way.
Anna Frazelle rushed her dog, Scout, to the Dineen Animal Hospital when she noticed her King Charles Spaniel acting strange.
"He was using the wall to hold himself up," said Frazelle.
She was shocked by the diagnosis of sugar free gum poisoning.
Sugar free gum contains Zylatol, a sugar substitute found in almost any sugar free food, which can be deadly for dogs.
Veterinarians said they are most often concerned about Zylatol contained in gum because one stick can kill a 20 pound dog.
"It makes the pancreas release a tremendous amount of insulin all at once, it puts the dog into extreme hypoglycemia and that's where most dogs die, they die within the first hour," said Dr. Jeff Dineen.
If you fear your dog has swallowed gum, but on the lookout for symptoms such as weakness and uncoordinated movements.
According to Dr. Dineen, ridding your dog's system of the gum by vomiting is the first step in recovery.
Luckily, Scout eventually recovered.
For more information on Zylatol poisoning contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or on the web, here.
Reported by Carmin Black)
Check out Is Tap Water Safe For Your Dog @ http://boknowsonline.com/2008/06/02/is-tap-water-safe-for-your-dog/
Duh, sorry. You didn’t post this...fings did. Thanks, fings. But you did correct their spelling of xylitol. :)
hmmm...I’ve got a little neighbor’s dog that likes to poop on my lawn and I’m thinki...
...um...never mind
*ahem*
Xylitol inhibits tooth decay. Many chewing gum manufacturers are now also adding calcium type substances to gum to remineralize the weak areas of enamel as well.
It’s a broadcast report...thus the spelling error for Xylitol. The web post has a link and phone number for more information.
Seems like appropriate use of resources...not bogging down a sequencial-access medium (news broadcast) with information better presented by random-access (rather than make us all sit through details that might not be relevant).
Of course, Americans no longer want to sit and read more detailed info. :-(
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