Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Xylitol poisoning in dogs causes low blood sugar and liver failure
By Murphy, Lisa A & Coleman, Adrienne E·Published in The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice·2012·Department of Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Xylitol toxicosis in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog that accidentally ate a product containing xylitol, a sweetener found in many candies and gums, can experience dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). This condition can lead to serious health issues, including liver failure. If your dog shows signs like weakness, lethargy, or seizures after consuming xylitol, it's crucial to get them to the vet immediately. With quick and effective treatment, many dogs can recover well from hypoglycemia caused by xylitol ingestion.
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Abstract
The sugar alcohol xylitol is a popular sweetener used in gums, candies, and baked goods. While xylitol has a wide margin of safety in people and most mammalian species, when ingested by dogs it is believed to stimulate excessive insulin secretion leading to severe hypoglycemia, potentially followed by acute hepatic failure and coagulopathies. Additional clinical findings may include thrombocytopenia, hypokalemia, and hyperphosphatemia. The prognosis for recovery in dogs that develop uncomplicated hypoglycemia is generally good with prompt and aggressive veterinary care.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22381181/