Xylitol Peanut Butter & Your Dog

by Fox News & ASPCA

Xylitol, a polyalcohol (xylose) from fibers of woods, berries, mushrooms, corn cobs, corn husk which rapidly floods across animal blood brain barrier is a known to cause seizures, rapid drop in blood sugar (usually precedes liver failure), and liver failure in dogs. Xylitol is a commercial sweetener used in peanut butter, some cookies, jerky treats, candies, gum, mints, and other sugar free products meant for human consumption.
People give peanut butter to dogs, they love it, and its fun to watch the dog who has a hard palate try to eat it- unfortunately, many people have “no sugar added” and “sugar free” peanut butter, jerky treats (meant for human consumption).

Fox News reporting on Xylitol Sweetener: 27 seconds
note, this will launch a new window to play a video.
Fox News Xylitol poisonous to your dogs

Xylitol and how is it dangerous for your dog
Dogs:
Xylitol is well established as a life-threatening toxin to dogs. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the number of cases of xylitol toxicosis in dogs has significantly increased since the first reports in 2002. Dogs that have ingested foods containing xylitol (greater than 100 milligrams of xylitol consumed per kilogram of bodyweight) have presented with low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can be life-threatening.[1] Low blood sugar can result in a loss of coordination, depression, collapse and seizures in as little as 30 minutes.[2] Intake of doses of xylitol (greater than 500 – 1000 mg/kg bwt) has been implicated in liver failure in dogs, which can be fatal.[3] Possible cause of hypoglycemia experienced by dogs is the fact that the xylitol in gum is released more slowly and absorbed over longer period than when it is consumed as a pure form.[4]

Birds/Wild Birds:
A vet examined the bodies of 30 Cape sugarbirds that had died within 30 minutes of drinking a solution made with xylitol, from a feeder; Xylitol is deadly for several types of exotic birds.

Official statement from ASCPA on Xylitol Sweetener:
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

ASCPA Statement on Xylitol Sweetener and Your Dog

 

Need Help? Call the Animal Poison Control Center

(888) 426-4435
The poison control center is not affiliated or associated with Sugar Creek Farms.
You may see them online https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control click on "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets"

 

SOURCES

1) Dunayer, Eric K.; Gwaltney-Brant, Sharon M. (October 2006). "Acute hepatic failure and coagulopathy associated with xylitol ingestion in eight dogs". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 229 (7): 1113–1117. doi:10.2460/javma.229.7.1113. PMID 17014359.
2) Dunayer, Erik K. (April 2004). "Hypoglycemia following canine ingestion of xylitol-containing gum". Veterinary and human toxicology 46 (2): 87–88. PMID 15080212.
3) Dunayer, Erik K. (December 2006). "New findings on the effects of xylitol ingestion in dogs" (PDF). Veterinary Medicine 101 (12): 791–797. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
4) Dunayer, Eric K (2004). "Hypoglycemia Following Canine Ingestion of Xylitol-Containing Gum". Vet. Human Toxicol. 46 (2): 87–88. "Xylitol could kill sugarbirds - and pets". Independent Online. Retrieved 12 July 2015.

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