alphageek
Former Moderator
Do you have dogs? Does anyone in the family chew sugar free gum?
If so READ me!
Yesterday morning our dog got into a pack of gum (multiple pieces). Since it was more than one piece, my wife googled what to do.
Turns out that most sugar free gum contain Xylitol. Xylitol lowers blood sugars in dogs. It can drop enough to start affecting potassium levels with effects that can include liver damage, seizures, heart conditions and even death.
Long story short, our dachshund will be ok - after a day and a half of vet care, intravenous fluids and monitoring of blood sure and potassium levels (which did drop for a while). Oh - and a nearly $700 vet bill! The vet says had we not called and brought her in, my wife would likely have returned after lunch to a deceased pet.
No-one in my family nor most people we talked to knew of this danger. Hopefully my spreading this will help someone else know of the danger and prevent a tragedy or near tragedy.
Dean
If so READ me!
Yesterday morning our dog got into a pack of gum (multiple pieces). Since it was more than one piece, my wife googled what to do.
Turns out that most sugar free gum contain Xylitol. Xylitol lowers blood sugars in dogs. It can drop enough to start affecting potassium levels with effects that can include liver damage, seizures, heart conditions and even death.
Long story short, our dachshund will be ok - after a day and a half of vet care, intravenous fluids and monitoring of blood sure and potassium levels (which did drop for a while). Oh - and a nearly $700 vet bill! The vet says had we not called and brought her in, my wife would likely have returned after lunch to a deceased pet.
No-one in my family nor most people we talked to knew of this danger. Hopefully my spreading this will help someone else know of the danger and prevent a tragedy or near tragedy.
Dean
. then she will sit and wait patiently until we hand it to her... she doesn't grab or jump for it. :biggrin: