Dog Community

Xylitol!? HELP!

Posted : 6/14/2006 1:28:10 AM

So, I see Nikki chewing on something pink. I notice chewed up, torn pieces of it whatever it is (I'm thinking paper, and grouchy about that fact) all over on the rug infront of the back door. Nikki is chewing and chomping continuously. I'm tired, lazy... and now panicked, because when I got over there I realize she's chewing on some sort of gum. WHERE DID SHE GET GUM!? ... I'm really grossed out, but like a good mom I sniff it and no idea what it is. It's Pink. That's all I know. I pick up enough pieces to easily make at least one stick or equivelent. But, it looks like more than enough and I'm a little nervous they ate the other few sticks?! I searched the yard. I have no idea where it came from.

How terrible is "Xylitol" to dogs? I did a quick search and it looks bad. But how much does it take, my guys are about 11-15 lbs (depending on the dog) how many sticks of gum would they have had to of eaten to get sick?

I go between spurts of freak out to giggling, then to guilt, back to freak out. Reason for the intermitten giggle? She was actually CHEWING chewing gum.

Help me. Please!

(BTW - thanks for teaching me that there is something to worry about in the first place. I don't know what I'd do without Idog!)

Sera_J

Posted : 6/14/2006 1:38:40 AM

I'm going to have to make ALL three of them puke.

God help me.

ANYONE!? Help! Please! Any advice?! PLEASE!!!

jensw

Posted : 6/14/2006 1:55:22 AM

Lani, I have no idea! I know jennie_cd was talking about it once and it seemed really bad. Do you have a 24 hour emergency vet there? If not, I'll call ours for you. I'll hang out for a bit and see if I get a reply to this.

Sera_J

Posted : 6/14/2006 2:39:18 AM

THANK YOU JEN!!!!!!!!

I had talked to my Vet clinic and they said Hydrogen Peroxide till they puke.

I gave them one 1/2 tablespoon. Nobody was phased. A little grossed out, but nobody puked.

I gave them another round. Immediately Chase puked followed by Missy.

Another round for Nikki. Nothing.
Another round for Nikki, she curled up in my lap and gave a ghastly burp.
Another round for Nikki, she looked ill. Did not puke.
ANOTHER ROUND for Nikki. Still nothing.

I freak out. I call the vet while I, amazingly, don't have to force feed her treats. She ate them happily. They said another round and if nothing, bring her in immediately.

One more round... VOMIT! YAY!

I did see Chase had eaten some (.. don't ask how I know that.) gum. Missy had not. Nikki picked the darkest corner of the yard, in grass to puke. I don't know if she did or not.

I'm hopeful that they will be fine, but I'm really, really, really concerned about how they got the gum in the first place. I don't own pink gum of any type. It was definitely more than one piece of gum... so, i'm really upset and concerned about how this happened. Any ideas??

Thank you again, I was panicking, obviously. But they seem fine for the moment.

marlania

Posted : 6/14/2006 2:54:23 AM

Phew! Did anyone come to your house and maybe accidentally drop the gum? Maybe if fell out of someone's purse??

If it makes you feel any better, Grey ate masking tape and weather stripping today.[sm=smack.gif]

jeano

Posted : 6/14/2006 4:48:08 AM

ORIGINAL: marlania

Phew! Did anyone come to your house and maybe accidentally drop the gum? Maybe if fell out of someone's purse??

If it makes you feel any better, Grey ate masking tape and weather stripping today.[sm=smack.gif]

Well, I guess he won't have any leaks!

Sera, I'm so glad you made them all puke. I've had to do that go round with they hydrogen peroxide before, too.

You don't know if the gum had xylitol in it, did you? Or did you find some packaging? We ought to try to find out what the toxicity of it is so we know what level of freakout to manifest next time. Hmmm, guess it's time to do an internet search or call a poison control place....

jeano

Posted : 6/14/2006 5:07:28 AM

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/sep04/040901c.asp
They say "large amounts" can cause problems. I doubt one pack of gum between three dogs is a large amount...

http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/001863/
Saying the same thing, "large amounts..."

http://www.animalhelp.com/hometown/articledetail.cfm?artid=230
Same thing.

I think you did the right thing, but I doubt that it would have harmed your dogs if by chance you hadn't caught them. Whew.

Catherine

Posted : 6/14/2006 11:10:08 AM

poor pups! i hope they are ok now?

my sister's dogs got into her nicorette gum which i believe has xylitol in it. i think they ate the whole box/pack and so my sister called an animal poison control hotline and they told her to take them to the vet. i think they either pumped their stomachs or made them vomit (same thing i guess) and then they had to stay overnight at the vets just to keep an eye on them but they were ok.

the vet and animal poison control (sorry, can't remember the exact name) said that xylitol or any fake sugar substitute is very harmful to dogs so it's good that you got them to throw up. of course, consuming nicotine couldn't have been that great for her dogs either but the vets seemed more concerned with the xylitol.

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 6/14/2006 11:46:41 AM

OMG! Sera, I would be freaking too! I'm so glad that the kids seem to be doing okay. PLEASE give them some belly rubs from me.

loveukaykay

Posted : 6/14/2006 3:05:50 PM

Good job for responding quickly, glad nothing major happened!

Sera_J

Posted : 6/15/2006 3:56:35 AM

Thank you so much, guys!

Yes, they are fine now... lots of puke later we are doing great, thanks!

) They went to the park today and played like dervishes. ... I didn't notice any slow down on their part!

How's Grey, Marlania? ... any "leaks" [sm=lol.gif]

Jean, thank you for the links. Good info there. I sent off one of them to my Vet [

] It does say it takes a lot. But, what qualifies "a lot" ... a pack of gum? ... An entire meal consisting of xylitol? .. more? Does anyone know? And to what size dog? My guys are little and I'm still getting used to small dogs vs. large breeds. I tend to be over protective [8|]

I guess better safe than sorry, but boy.. pouring Peroxide down their throats and cleaning up multiple piles of vomit was [:'(].... well, better safe than sorry!

Thanks again guys.. I really appreciate your support. Sorry to make my on-again debut in such a panicked fashion! [&:]

marlania

Posted : 6/15/2006 1:31:35 PM

ORIGINAL: Sera_J
How's Grey, Marlania? ... any "leaks" [sm=lol.gif]

Nope, no serious leaks, thankfully lol.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 6/15/2006 1:57:35 PM

I know the articles say large amounts, but in sensitive dogs, it doesn't take much at all. You never know the dog is sensitive until it happens....

For Emma, it was *one* tiny, pea sized mint. She was barely conscious when I got her to the vet's office, 20 minutes later.

Solid Gold's Dragon Teeth biscuits have xylitol in them. Yuck!