This rapid release of insulin may result in a rapid and profound decrease in the level of blood sugar (hypoglycemia), an effect that can occur within 10 to 60 minutes of eating the xylitol.
Chewing xylitol gum for 3 weeks or more provides not only short but also long-term reductions in S. mutans levels! Even just the action of chewing the gum helps to rinse away lactic acids. In order to be effective against bacteria the optimal intake levels are at least 6-10g of xylitol per day.
In humans, ingested xylitol is absorbed over 3 to 4 hours. In dogs, peak plasma levels of xylitol are reached within 30 minutes of ingestion. Studies in rats have shown that most ingested xylitol is metabolized by the liver, where it is oxidized and enters the pentose phosphate pathway.
It is possibly safe when used in chewing gums, candies, lozenges, toothpastes, and mouth rinses in amounts up to about 50 grams daily. It might cause diarrhea and gas in some people. Taking high doses of xylitol is possibly unsafe. Using very high doses long-term might cause tumors.
If your dog is acting normal, call APCC at 888-426-4435, so we can help you determine if your dog needs any treatment. If your dog is symptomatic, take them to a veterinarian immediately. Be sure to bring any packaging with you from the product that was ingested and tell the veterinary staff that your dog ate xylitol.
The treatment for xylitol poisoning typically includes addressing the hypoglycemia, the imbalance of electrolytes, and possible liver failure. These treatments may include: Intravenous fluids for balancing electrolytes and preventing dehydration. Intravenous dextrose to address the hypoglycemia.
Symptoms begin with vomiting and then progress to incoordination, collapse, and seizures. The other reaction associated with xylitol in dogs is the destruction of liver tissue.
Xylitol is present in many products and foods for human use, but can have devastating effects on your pet. If you think your dog may have eaten a product containing xylitol, call your vet, emergency clinic, or animal poison control center right away.
Xylitol targets s. mutans (streptococcus mutans). This strain takes xylitol into the cell to be metabolized into a phosphate, becoming toxic to bacteria. Amazingly, the positive bacteria we want to keep in our guts seemed to be relatively unaffected, according to studies done using xylitol and sorbitol chewing gum.
Reason #1 - Xylitol Is Not Cheap
Xylitol is produced naturally by a wide variety of plants, including strawberries and raspberries, but in pretty small amounts. It's easiest to harvest xylitol from birch bark and corn, but even then the process is difficult and a little pricey.
The effects of xylitol stay in a dog's system for several days, requiring prolonged hospitalization. How much xylitol is dangerous? A surprisingly small dose is toxic. Most gums that have xylitol listed as the main sweetener contain about 1 gram of xylitol per stick.
At higher doses, they can develop liver failure which is fatal. The amount of xylitol in each piece of gum is proprietary and varies from product to product, so pet owners need to be diligent. Ingestion of even one piece of gum for a small dog can be fatal if left untreated.
The shelf life of Naturally Sweet Xylitol is 2 years from date of manufacture.
With Xylitol, the biofilm that is formed on the teeth is beneficial to teeth. Xylitol biofilm helps to remineralize deeper layers of enamel. (Fluoride can remineralize only the outer layer but not the deeper layers). Xylitol with fluoride will hopefully then lead to complete remineralization!
Xylitol is mostly safe, especially if taken in amounts found in food. The FDA has approved xylitol as a food additive or sweetener. Side effects. If you take large amounts of xylitol, such as 30 to 40 grams, you may experience diarrhea or gas.
Xylitol can be delivered to your teeth in chewing gum, tablets, or even candy and mints. You can also use it before bed—after brushing and flossing—to protect and heal your teeth as you sleep.
However, what makes xylitol so great is that while the bacteria will still eat it, it doesn't fuel them. Instead, xylitol actually starves the bacteria. In fact, xylitol can effectively lower bacteria levels, sometimes up to 75%.
Xylitol also has a low GI, which makes it an attractive alternative to sugar for people wishing to lose weight and those with diabetes. Some research also suggests that xylitol has antibacterial properties that can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and ear infections.
In addition, since this natural sugar slows destruction caused by bacteria, it not only prevents new cavities from forming but can also work towards rebuilding enamel and reversing the tooth decay that has already occurred.
Yet xylitol can be far more dangerous to dogs than chocolate! The picture below shows the minimum amount of dark chocolate that could cause death in three different weights of dog — compared to the minimum number of pieces of xylitol-containing sugar-free gum that could have the same devastating effect.
Peanut butter brands that contain xylitol include Go Nuts, Co., Krush Nutrition, Nuts 'N More, P28 Foods, and No Cow (formerly D's Naturals). Peanut butter that doesn't contain xylitol is absolutely safe for dogs and a healthy treat—just be sure to read the label!
Nonfat or sugar-free yogurt and Greek yogurt
While ice cream may be a more obvious suspect, its cousins, yogurt and Greek yogurt, can be hiding xylitol as well. Watch for label keywords like “nonfat” that don't directly imply but can include swapping out sugar for xylitol.
Once in the hospital, your veterinarian may give your dog intravenous fluid, flush your dog's stomach, give your dog activated charcoal to absorb the toxin, or perform surgery. Supportive medications may help your dog's kidneys and liver process the poison and heal.
Xylitol consumption is considered harmless to people but is known to cause life-threatening toxicoses in dogs. Dogs that ingest doses of >0.1 g/kg of xylitol are at risk for developing hypoglycemia, while dogs that ingest >0.5 g/kg may develop acute liver failure.
The following may be signs of dog poisoning: Diarrhea or blood in the stool (either bright red blood or dark black tarry stools) Vomiting or loss of appetite. Seizures or tremors.