WARNING! Sugar Substitue FATAL to Dogs

I’m not sure of the source of this report on xylitol; it is just a local ASPCA group and appears to totally lack any scientific basis.  Seem those SPCA people besides lacking credentials have based there “findings” on…..  “gathered information on eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005 after eating products containing xylitol.”  Having worked with vets for 30+years it is very difficult to “know” what a dog has eaten.  I’ve seen hundreds of poisoned dog cases and seldom can the owner tell exactly what his/her dog ate in the last 12 hours.

Interesting “One dog who had to be euthanized had eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins containing about 1 pound (0.45 kg) of xylitol.”  So this dog didn’t die of the ingestion but instead someone decided to put it down and it was euthanized.  Also those muffins must have been SUPER giant sized if each had a quarter pound of xylitol.

Remember the dog didn’t die from the xylitol, it was ‘humanly’ put to sleep.  This dog lived until the SPCA killed it, and yet it ingested ¼ pound of xylitol.  The same staff people say “A 22-pound (10-kg) dog who consumes one gram (0.03 ounces) of xylitol should be treated,".  Makes that ¼ pound of xylitol about a 300 times overdose?????

It is interesting that this alleged ‘study’ was based upon eight dogs appearing to eat chocolate.   Well, reputable scientists and vets know that Theobromine and caffeine are both found in chocolate and can be fatal to dogs.  So how did the SPCA determine that xylitol was the cause????

Well, Xylitol might be dangerous to dogs.  But I for one would never believe this story from the SPCA, nor any other fake scientific group.

My animals don’t eat people foods, and every dog owner knows that chocolate is bad for dogs.  Sounds like the SPCA had some volunteers write up some stuff to get more $$$$ to urge legislation to ban trapping and hunting.

BEAR

You shouold thank Rocky he started a good post.  We don't get much dog stuff on here.

BSE ?????

Your right Rocky.  Bottom line with me has been if it isn't in Purina Dog Chow, my dogs don't needed it.

BEAR

THE OTHER SIDE, Source Xylitol Manufacturer

OREM, UTAH -- October 3, 2006 -- Xlear, Inc., a leading manufacturer of xylitol products, issued the following statement in response to the clinical report on xylitol and dogs published in the October 1, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA).

Reports and articles about xylitol and dogs have propagated across the Internet during the past several months. While Xlear does not manufacture xylitol products for pets, nor recommend giving xylitol to dogs, we feel that there have been some misconceptions reported in recent papers and statements about xylitol that need to be addressed.

First, xylitol has been used in a number of animal studies and the results of which have been included in the World Health Organization's review of the safety and toxicology of xylitol. In several of the studies, up to 20 percent of the total caloric intake for dogs was comprised of xylitol. These studies were conducted during a full-year time period, and after the study, the animals were sacrificed and histology studies conducted on their organs. No abnormalities were noted. Other studies have also shown xylitol to be safe.

Second, many of the examples used in recent papers and reports against xylitol were extreme cases and focused solely on xylitol as the source of any problems. One of the first critical papers issued about xylitol and dogs referenced a pet that ate "100 pieces of Dr. Atkins sugar-free gum," which contained xylitol, as well as aspartame. Another example in the recent JAVMA report, which studied eight cases from 2003-2005, referenced a dog that had "eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins that contained about one pound of xylitol." These are extreme cases with substantial amounts of food, and should be considered in context with the understanding that other ingredients, such as aspartame and chocolate, need to be analyzed before blaming injury or death on any single ingredient.

"We do not make products for dogs, and as a company, we recommend that xylitol not be given to dogs," said Blaine Yates, chief executive officer of Xlear. "However, we do not feel that xylitol is as dangerous as it has been purported to be. While we agree that additional studies need to be conducted, we are concerned about advocating further studies, as sacrificing the animals following the studies has been the common practice in order to better understand the effects of xylitol on a dog's internal organs. Dog owners know their dogs best, and will know when their pets need care. Xylitol is a safe, all natural sweetener with some unique health and dental benefits for children to adults, and we encourage dog owners and health conscious consumers alike to learn more about xylitol at our Web site, www.xlear.com."

teebogr,

I also have a minature weeney dog. I have read where they were bread for hunting badgers. I have been thinking of shoving his long low ass down a badger hole and waiting to see who comes out first.

What do you think?

Wing master

I was just joking about shoving him down a badger hole. I dont think he could whoop a prairie dog if I shoved him down one of their holes. He might not be good for much, but I do kinda like him. He has a BIG attitude and alot of heart.

BEAR, Thats interesting what you said about tracking wounded deer.

One time we were pheasant hunting (The shorthairs hunt and the weeney dog stays in the pickup) and I let him out to releive himself and he ran a beeline straight to where someone had cleaned a pheasant. I thought then he must have a pretty good nose.

Wing master

Interesting reading guys. Definately worth paying attention to. Thanks, grayghost