Xylitol (sugar substitute) Danger for Dogs‏

LARHIndy76 recently shared a heart-wrenching story about how he lost his dog to xylitol poisoning. Here's a quick definition of xylitol from its Wikipedia entry: "Xylitol, also called wood sugar or birch sugar, is a five-carbon sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute. It can be extracted from birch, raspberries, plums, and corn and is primarily produced in China."

Our dog died this morning from Xylitol poisoning. Xylitol is a 5 carbon sugar alcohol derived from birch, raspberries, and corn. It is used as a sugar substitute in lo-carb, sugar-free, and diabetic products. It is completely non-toxic to humans. However, it is very toxic to dogs. This is a new problem because xylitol has only recently begun being used in America. It has been used in Sweden and Finland since the 1960?s. However, it is fast becoming the number one sugar substitute in this country because of its health benefits. I want to make people aware of the danger it posses to their dogs. Initially it can cause potentially fatal hypoglycemia and can lead to liver failure. It does not take much to cause these effects. The hypoglycemia was first noted in 2003 in dogs that got into their owner?s purse and ate sugar free candy or Trident gum that contained xylitol. In 2004 animal poison control made the connection between xylitol consumption and liver failure. There is no antidote. The reaction can take place as quick as 30 minutes. My 60 lb. Shepard/Lab mix ingested ½ cup in a cake he dug out of the garbage. This was 10x?s the known toxic level for a dog his size. We began treatment within 24 hours, but he died just over 48 hours after consumption anyway.

As a new puppy-dad, this really got to me. Here's some information on xylitol to help all of you pet-parents stay informed:

Xylitol Toxicity:
A Warning to All Dog Owners

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used in sugar-free products such as gum and candy, as well as for baking and is used in the production of certain low-carbohydrate products now on the market.

As early as the 1960's, experiments indicated a link between the ingestion of xylitol and hypoglycemia in dogs. However, it has only been recently that the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has begun to receive reports of xylitol toxicosis in dogs. It is believed that this recent rise is likely due to the increased use of products containing xylitol in the United States.

Effects of Xylitol Ingestion

In both humans and dogs, the levels of blood sugar are controlled by the body's release of insulin from the pancreas. In human xylitol ingestion does not cause any significant changes in insulin levels or, therefore, blood glucose. However, in dogs, xylitol causes a fast release of insulin, which results in a rapid decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia).

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs of xylitol toxicity can develop in as few as 30 minutes after ingestion. Clinical signs may include one or more of the following:

* Vomiting
* Weakness
* Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)
* Depression
* Hypokalemia (decreased potassium)
* Seizures
* Coma
* Liver dysfunction and/or failure

Treatment

After ingesting a xylitol-containing product a dog may receive one of more of the following treatments, depending on the amount of time that has lapsed since the ingestion occurred. The induction of vomiting is recommended if performed very soon after ingestion of the xylitol-containing product but before clinical signs develop. Frequent small meals or an oral sugar supplement may be used to manage dogs that have not yet shown clinical signs. Following the appearance of clinical signs intravenous dextrose can be used to control hypoglycemia. It may also be necessary to treat the patient for low potassium levels (hypokalemia), if indicated. Treatment should be continued until the blood glucose levels return to normal levels.

For more information on this and other poison control questions the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at 888-426-4435 or on the web at www.apcc.aspca.org.

Source: Knowles Animal Clinic

For more information and links, visit the xylitol Wikipedia page.

The IRS Finally Acknowledges The OTHER Family Members‏

Got this in an email, and thought it was too funny not to share! It's hard to see here, but if you click on image it will show larger

Carrapato

This is carrapato's picture the pet store had on their website before we bought him. He was purchased at:

Tiny Treasures Puppies
2043 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954-630-1751
http://www.tinytreasurespuppies.com

Luxury Pet Bed

Luxury pet sofa bed with iron frame and leopard print cushion. Hand wash. Some assembly required. 32 3/4" x 17 1/2" x 15" high. Only $59.00

Click here to Purchase!

Napping in the Sun

I really think my yorkie is part cat. He love to nap in the sun

Healthy Dog Food : Homemade Recipes. Avoid Dog Food Recalls

A Complete Triumph!

Imagine knowing, in just a few hours, exactly how to feed your dog to quickly get ASTONISHING results! With home made dog food, while avoiding recent recalls.

"I thought it was too good to be true, but I gave it a shot anyway... and it turned out to be the best decision I've ever made."

P. Lacoste, Dog Fancier
Miami -FL


I invite you to download
245 Healthy Recipes

Your dog will love you...
You can't do better for your animal!


John Miller, professional dog-fancier, reveals his Secrets Recipes (strictly here only and nowhere else) and why he refused to sell them to Multinational Companies.


(copies have been sent to major veterinary schools)


Tuesday, July 15


Your veterinarian will be asking you for your secrets.

50 years ago, a young dog-fancier, John Miller wanted to improve his dogs growth. After analysing commercial dog food formulas, he found they were all loaded with unhealthy chemicals.

John developed a better recipe himself and tried it on his own dogs... using healthier ingredients...


A Complete Triumph! dog food recipe, and dog food recipes or homemade dog food

He couldn't believe how fast his dogs health and behavior improved. Also he reduced his dog food costs by 50%.

Happy with his discovery he tried, over the years, hundreds of new recipes in order to see their effects on dog health and growth.

From these experiences, he created dozens of amazing recipes that make dogs grow faster and stronger... without using harmful commercial products because they are infamous for mineral deficiencies.

John's recipes were so easy to do and so effective that multinational companies offered John more than $500,000 for his recipes, but above all, they wanted: his silence!

Thank God, John is a man of principles. He always refused money from companies for his SILENCE!

In fact, John wants you to know how to have a healthier dog, without spending a fortune on products, or poisoning it.

After years of new improvements, he reveals --FOR YOUR OWN USE-- the best recipes to transform your dog into the healtiest dog of your dreams.

Discover in One Day the famous recipes that took John 50 years to develop.

You will find ALL John' Recipes in a multimedia ebook titled: "Healthy Food for Dogs: Homemade Recipes"


Click Here to download now Only $13.33!

Dog Obedience Training Secrets

Thanks to this powerful insider information, over 61,196 dog owners worldwide have been successful with their dog training, and solved their dog’s behavior problems.

"Put an End to the Stress and Annoyance of
Your Dog Behavior Problems!

...AND Slash Your Dog Obedience Training Time in Half by Using
Techniques That Give You Immediate Results!!"

Why do you want a well-behaved dog?


Do you have a generally disobedient dog?
Does your dog embarrass you in public?
Are you sick of excessive biting, barking, whining, etc?

Are you sick of dealing with dog aggression issues?

Do you want to know how to fix virtually any dog behavior problem?

Or, perhaps you just want the best relationship that you can possibly have with your dog...


Whatever your reasons are, I've designed my cutting-edge dog training package with YOU in mind, so that you will get immensely satisfying results FAST...


...I designed SitStayFetch to be the easiest system to follow on the market today for learning how to train your dog and change its behavior. It is jam-packed with information, including how to solve over 25 dog behavior problems, real-life case studies, the best dog training techniques, unlimited dog behavior consultations with the SitStayFetch team, loads of photos that will boost your learning AND step-by-step instructions... all within one instantly downloadable package.



...SitStayFetch will teach you how to train your dog like a professional trainer, so you can have your dog obey you no matter what the situation and solve any specific problems that you may have with your dog - this is truly cutting-edge material!



Over 61,196 dog owners worldwide, just like you, have used my unique course to fast-track their dogs learning, while having loads of fun in the process. To see what "SitStayFetch: Dog Training To Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems!" can do for you, follow these 3 easy steps...



Join over 193,437 other dog owners and sign up to my SitStayFetch 6 Day Course in the box below (my course is the best on the net... period!)
Read the success stories below from just a few of the more than 61,196 dog owners who have ordered and used my amazing SitStayFetch techniques
Get your very own copy of SitStayFetch!


Will you be next to change YOUR dog's behavior?


Click Here to Order Only $37.00!

Time for a litte nap on the back of the couch. This little Yorkshire Terrier must think he's a cat.

New HAT

Pulga my older Yorkie got a new hat from a friend.. He hated having it on, but he did sit for a photo opportunity.

My Puppies

These are my babies Pulga and Carropato (portugese for flea and tick) since they're only five and three pounds full grown