The popular sugar substitute Xylitol, also known as birch sugar or E 967, is used in many foods, especially in chewing gum, candies, baked goods, and chocolate, and can be consumed safely by humans.
- In dogs, ingestion of just 0.1 g of Xylitol per kg of body weight can lead to severe hypoglycemia.
- More than 0.5 g of Xylitol/kg of body weight can cause liver dysfunction and, if left untreated or prolonged, can lead to coma and death.
- Xylitol also causes hypoglycemia in ferrets, rabbits, cows, goats, and baboons.
How does Xylitol poisoning manifest?
- In some cases, hypoglycemia may occur with a delay. Liver damage can occur even without signs of hypoglycemia.
- However, signs of hypoglycemia such as trembling, lethargy, apathy, weakness, staggering gait, vision problems, and vomiting usually appear after 30-60 minutes.
What to do?
- Go to the vet as soon as possible!
- Do not attempt self-treatment! Inducing vomiting can further lower blood sugar levels.