PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – Local veterinarians are urging pet owners to be vigilant about xylitol-containing products after a Portland dog survived a potentially fatal dose of the substance.
In May, Afi, a 6-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix, was staying with family friends when his owner, Andy Zook, says he consumed approximately 35 pieces of “Refresh Plant-Based Sugar-Free Gum”, each containing xylitol.
Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute that can cause low blood sugar, liver failure, and even death in dogs.
“Xylitol poses a serious threat to dogs,” said Dr. Hannah Marshall, a critical care specialist at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. “Ingesting even a single piece can be harmful. With Afi eating so many pieces, we were worried about severe liver damage.”
Each piece of gum Afi ate contained about 1,000 mg of xylitol, a toxic dose for dogs.
After vomiting and displaying lethargy, Afi’s caretakers rushed him to DoveLewis 24/7 Animal Hospital.
Following two days of treatment with IV fluids, liver medications, and close monitoring of his blood sugar, he began to recover. On the third day, Afi started eating again and was discharged to go home.
“What’s beautiful about this was recognizing the short time that I get to have with this guy, and I really want to make sure that he has the best experience he possibly can,” said Zook. “I just cherish him, and our family really values him. So glad that he’s still in it.”
Xylitol is not only found in sugar-free gum but also in mints, baked goods, peanut butter, toothpaste, and medications.
According to DoveLewis, while xylitol poisoning is most common and most dangerous in dogs, it can also pose a risk to cats.
“If it’s something where they had exposure many days before they were to the hospital, then we’d be really worried about potential liver failure and dying from that sort of thing,” said Dr. Marshall. “But a lot of these guys, if they get aggressive treatment, usually have a really good outcome.”
Veterinarians recommend keeping xylitol-containing products far out of reach of pets.
Copyright 2025 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
