Gum is a pleasurable reward for people, however for dogs it’s in fact hazardous if consumed.
What to do if your dog consumes gum
Dr. Tina Wismer, senior director of ASPCA Animal Toxin Nerve center, says if your family pet enters something possibly harmful, very first examine the component label on the item. If the consumed product includes xylitol and you observe any unusual habits from your family pet, go to your regional veterinary center instantly.
“A veterinarian will likely first check your dog’s blood sugar and liver enzymes to see if they are abnormal,” she says. “If your dog does have low blood sugar, your vet may give a source of sugar — dextrose — IV to bring their sugar levels back up to avoid any serious complications. Always call the vet as soon as possible, as preventing problems is more helpful than treating them.”
Why is xylitol harmful to dogs?
Lots of gums — particularly those that are sugar-free — consist of the sweetener xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener most frequently discovered in foodstuff however can be discovered in other durable goods, like tooth paste, also.
Dr. Wismer says xylitol triggers low blood sugar level and liver injury in dogs. While low blood sugar level can happen extremely rapidly — as quickly as thirty minutes after intake — it can use up to 12 hours for signs to appear after intake.
Indications of low blood sugar level in dogs consist of:
- Weak Point
- Unsteadiness
- Shaking
- Seizures — if it goes unattended
Indications of liver injury in dogs can consist of:
- Reduction in cravings
- Sleepiness
- Yellowing of the skin
- Throwing Up
- Diarrhea
Dr. Wismer says signs suggesting liver injury in your dog might not be seen for 2 or 3 days after intake.
“The amount of xylitol found in different products — even different flavors of gum — can vary widely, so having information about the item ingested, how much was ingested and knowing your pet’s weight is important,” says Dr. Wismer.
Other issues when dogs consume gum
VCA Animal Hospitals Regional Specialist Director Melissa Hulgreen says intake of harmful compounds is reasonably typical in dogs — particularly curious puppies. Melissa says that while gum intake is not the No. 1 toxicity they see, the majority of people do have gum in their house, car or individual bag, so the possibility of direct exposure is greater for family pets compared to something less typical like rat bait.
The possible danger of dogs consuming gum is two-fold, says Melissa. The lower danger is that of intestinal clog.
“Because chewing gum is not readily broken down when ingested like most other foods, there is a minimal risk of developing a gastrointestinal blockage depending on the size of the animal and the amount of gum consumed,” she says.
Indications of an intestinal clog in dogs consist of:
- Throwing up (This generally happens numerous times and family pet moms and dads typically report that their family pet can’t keep anything down, even water.)
- Anorexia (Not wishing to consume at all.)
- Hyporexia (Not consuming as much as they generally would.)
- Sleepiness
- Stomach pain (The family pet hurts when touched or gotten around the stomach location, hesitates to put down and not able to enter comfy positions.)
“It is important to remember that these are general clinical signs that can be seen with a variety of health conditions, not just gastrointestinal obstruction, so it is always important to seek medical advice from a veterinarian if you are concerned,” Melissa says.
However that is not generally the main issue and there is a likelihood the dog will pass the gum without issue. Nevertheless, you must let your vet understand just how much gum was consumed so that she can examine the danger of clog.
What does the vet do after your dog eats gum
Melissa says when you first arrive at the vet, a triage technician will ask you some questions:
- About how long ago did your dog eat the gum?
- How much was ingested?
- Have you noticed any changes in your pet’s behavior since ingesting the gum?
“It is really helpful to bring the packaging of the product they ingested — this is applicable to any toxin ingestion — because it will help the veterinary team discern exactly what your pet was exposed to and at what dose,” Melissa says.
If your pet also ate the packaging, do your best to provide the brand name and type of gum.
“If there is a strong suspicion that your dog ingested gum containing xylitol, the veterinarian will likely recommend that they induce vomiting immediately to prevent any further absorption of xylitol into your dog’s body,” says Melissa.
Once your pet is initially stabilized, the veterinarian will discuss any further treatment or monitoring.
“This will likely include overnight hospitalization with IV fluids and sugar supplementation, seizure watch and liver protectant medications,” Melissa says.
If it is determined that your pet ingested gum that did not contain xylitol, the veterinarian will discuss the pros and cons of further treatment.
“At this point, the main concern would be the ingestion of foreign material and determining the probability of your pet being able to pass said foreign material — undigested gum and any wrappers or packaging — without incident,” Melissa says.
Never induce vomiting at home after your dog eats gum
Pet parents must never induce vomiting at home or give any medications that were not previously prescribed unless directed to do so by a vet, Melissa says.
“When we induce vomiting in the clinic, it is done in a controlled environment with trained medical staff, typically with injectable medications,” she says. “The most serious complication that can occur when we induce vomiting is aspiration — when the pet accidentally inhales some of the stomach contents during the process. This can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia and result in a longer hospital stay for your pet. The risk of aspiration can increase when owners try to give anything by mouth at home as they are unable to control the dose given and often struggle with the animal because of the bad taste.”
How to keep pets safe from xylitol toxicity
Dr. Wismer says when purchasing a new item, check the ingredient list for xylitol. If you have a pet that gets into things or a mischievous new puppy, avoid bringing that particular item into your home.
“If you do bring home products containing xylitol, make sure to keep them in a safe place out of paws’ reach,” she says. “Make sure to keep items like purses or backpacks off the floor, so that there is less opportunity for a nosy pet to find out what’s inside.”
But if your pet does get into gum, treat it as an emergency and call the veterinarian right now.
