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Posts: 1,836This was on AOL today and since we all have so many pooches I thought I'd pass along. I coulnd't imagine anything worse than loosing a pet because of something as everyday as this.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Past Time BearsThanks much for sharing, Chrissi.
Newcastle, OntarioHi Chrissi,
I've never liked the artificial sweeteners - it makes me wonder what it can do to small children. I know animals have a different make-up, but I wish they would just ban the stuff.
hugs,
Brenda
Posts: 3,540I have to say this article ticked me off so much I just had to write. I daresay the sugar companies were behind this 'pseudo science' scare tactic 
Take a look at what the one dog consumed.... "had eaten four large, chocolate-frosted muffins containing about 1 pound of xylitol". We all know chocolate is deadly for dogs...look at the amount this dog had!
And look at the statistics they are basing this warning on "gathered information on eight dogs treated between 2003 and 2005" That is such an incredibly low group as to be not worth even considering. I really think these scientists, research vets needed to pull together an actual study, and do a much better job of finding out whether it was truly the xylitol that dropped these animals' blood sugar, or if there was something else that was ingested.
For the record, xylitol is NOT an artificial sweetner. Xylitol is the commercial name for a naturally occurring sugar called xylose, commonly derived from corncobs and birch trees. It is much like many other sugars, but with a significant difference ~ the xylose molecule only contains five carbon atoms, not the six of most other sugars. This difference is the key to xylitol's beneficial qualities both as a food source and as a bacterial inhibitor in both medical and dental use.
Xylitol is metabolized without insulin....so it creates a significantly lower glycemic effect when eaten.
Xylitol inhibits the ability of bacteria to attach to the tissues of the mouth, nose and throat. This is why physicians are using xylitol to reduce the symptoms of middle ear infections (otitis media) particularly in children.
Xylitol has also been studied and used for its dental benefits. Xylitol in the diet inhibits the ability of bacteria to adhere to the teeth, reduce the production of the acids that dissolve tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay.
This article just ticked me off because I feel that there needed to be a LOT more in depth studies before it was presented. As pet owners we try to do our best for our pets, and the companies know that. What better way to scare people from xylitol use ....a product in my opinion should be getting considerable more attention as a VERY good alternative to sugar... and get them so paranoid they won't touch it.
Before I would be convinced I would want there to be outside studies done and controlled studies, so that obvious things like chocolate would not be mixed up with the outcome.
Posts: 3,540I can't for the life of me remember the name of what's in the chocolate...something that begins with a 't'. I want to say thrombycin, but that may not be correct. Edited to say I've found this http://www.apogeecomgrp.com/drkevin/chocolate.html It explains exactly what's in the chocolate, and the doseages that lead to the poisoning
Yep I remember those days of blissfully feeding a dog practically anything and it not getting sick...but those were hound dogs, and those have got cast iron stomachs. :crackup:
To my knowledge the chocolate will affect smaller dogs, but with each individual will be a different level of sensitivity. Same with people. Take me and hubby for example, I can take a vitamin mix or allergy tablets that would just tear his tummy a new hole...and (knock on wood) it doesn't bother me at all. That's not to say its not effecting my stomach lining, nor that my liver isn't having to cope with it double time, but it will not have the 'symptoms' show.
That's why I think its the same with chocolate, or raisins with dogs. Better odds of killing a small dog simply because of the size proportions.
No, the thing that made my blood boil on this whole article, is the lack of supporting evidence. People will take this whole thing on faith....and its easily a load of misinformation.
Posts: 3,540You know, one thing I was thinking of with your friend's incident is whether or not the dog had access to the backyard afterwards? I was going to add that plantain is a powerful anti poison. Its a weed, very common in yards across America. Animals do seem to know instinctively which plants to eat (but don't bank on them always getting the right ones). It is conceivable this dog toodled outside, munched some plantain and was no worse the wear for its chocolate binge.
Hubby and I always keep powdered plantain in our first aid kits, in the house, and in each of our vehicles. I even took it with me when I toured the UK. It works against any form of poison...meaning food poisoning, and the side effects of common over the counter drugs. We get the plantain from the health food store, but you might also be able to find it in the bulk foods section. We powder it (think coffee grinder from Wal Mart, so the grinder is just for plantain) because the powder is quickly absorbed by the mucous membranes of the mouth...that means it hits the bloodstream that much faster and can cure that much faster.
We've reversed some truly awful cases of food poisoning, and have used it for people and critters alike. All you have to do with an animal is get the powder in their mouth. Even if they try to spit most of it out, there will still be enough coating the lining of the mouth to have an effect.
Canna Bear PaintI think it is theobromine that is bad for dogs in chocolate. I dunno though, I grew up with a lab that got fed everything, including lots of chocolate, and she lived to a ripe old age. (That is not to say that I would give a dog chocolate now that I know better... why take chances?)
I do understand that the quality of chocolate can have something to do with its toxicity to dogs. A relative had their Border Collie get into a gift box of very expensive imported chocolate (the individually foil-wrapped kind). The dog ate everything. They called the vet and he said "sounds like really good chocolate, he should be fine". The dog was indeed just fine, other than leaving them foil-wrapped... uh... gifts in the back yard for a few days.
Cheers,
Kelly
Posts: 1,836Raisins, Onions are not good in large doses.
The chocolate thing: it's the type of chocolate with consideration to body weight. My dog, who just recently passed, got into a BAG of milk chocolate candies once as a younger dog. I freaked out calling the vet...he said she would likely get ill (#2 and all 
) and that it would not be lethal. Now, if it had been that much in bakers or good quality dark chocolate...then we'd be in the ER. As far as the sweetener...If it helps you as a human go for it...but a dog, probably shouldn't be getting anything that would use this alternative sweetener anyway.
Here's a little blip that may be helpful about chocolate:
Toxic Levels
The good news is that it takes, on average, a fairly large amount of theobromine 100-150 mg/kg to cause a toxic reaction. Although there are variables to consider like the individual sensitivity, animal size and chocolate concentration.
On average,
Milk chocolate contains 44 mg of theobromine per oz.
Semisweet chocolate contains 150mg/oz.
Baker's chocolate 390mg/oz.
Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.
So, for example, 2 oz. of Baker's chocolate can cause great risk to an 15 lb. dog. Yet, 2 oz. of Milk chocolate usually will only cause digestive problems.
:hug:
~Chrissi
