Sugar substitute xylitol could kill your dog
Xylitol a sugar substitute often used by food manufacturers, causes liver failure in dogs, often resulting in death (it's not harmful to human beings).
Animal poison-control centers say they see a dramatic increase in xylitol calls. Ahna Brutlag, senior veterinarian toxicologist at the Pet Poison Hotline, says her center had 2,800 calls about known or suspected xylitol poisoning late last year.
It's one of the most dangerous food-related poisons her staff deals with. Brutlag says a lot of dog owners never heard of it, nor do they understand that an ordinary sweetener could be so toxic to pets. One pet saved from death, but the vet bill was $5,000.
The substance is widely used in coated gum, mints, sweetened vitamins, toothpaste and baked goods.
Hershey & Co. says dog owners should check ingredients on items and discard those sweetened with xylitol.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
