Halloween is a blast for kids and adults – with all the costumes, going door-to-door and the candy. Halloween is all about candy. Unfortunately, it is this joyous candy that can become seriously harmful to your pets. Pets love snacks and they are surprisingly adept in their ability to seek and retrieve these sweets you thought were out of reach or hidden so well. And, kids being kids just love feeding their pets. This is when disaster strikes, from life-threatening pancreatitis to mild gastroenteritis (stomach upset), to poisoning from artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol and chocolate.
Let’s start with pancreatitis:
The pancreas is a glandular organ that secretes enzymes to help digest, or break down, food (as well as being responsible for insulin secretion). Your pet eats a meal that passes from the mouth, through the esophagus, to the stomach, where enzymes start to break it down to specific dietary nutrients. From the stomach, the partially digested food passes to the duodenum, the first portion of the small intestine. Pancreatic enzymes are passed through a duct from the pancreas to break down starches and protein. When a pet eats particularly fatty foods, sometimes these digestive enzymes can become prematurely activated and start to damage the pancreas itself. This can potentially lead to an inflammatory process spreading throughout the body via the bloodstream. You can see why a yummy candy can quickly become very dangerous. Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and poor appetite are the most common signs you may see in your pet with pancreatitis.
Treatment for pancreatitis revolves around supportive care and may involve anti-nausea or pain medication, ultra-low-fat diet, fluid therapy, electrolyte supplementation, and antacids, or gastro protectants. The prognosis (or likelihood of recovery) can range from good to guarded in both dogs and cats, depending on severity. If you suspect your pet may have pancreatitis or has gotten into your Halloween candy, or any fatty foods, please have him or her immediately seen by a veterinarian.
What about artificial sweeteners such as Xylitol:
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is found in fruits and vegetables naturally. Xylitol has a sweet taste and it is used as a sugar substitute in candies, chewing gyms, breath mints, ice cream, even tooth paste and mouthwash. Xylitol has a low glycemic index so it is often used as a substitute for baking cookies, cakes and breads.
The toxic dose of Xylitol depends on the amount your dog consumes. The dose necessary to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in dogs is approximately 0.1 grams/kg of body weight. For example, if your pet weighs 10 lbs. (4.5kg), the toxic dose that will cause hypoglycemia is 0.45 gram. This is a very small amount: 1 gram = ¼ teaspoon or a regular sized paper clip. Most chewing gums and breath mints typically contain 0.22 to 1.0 gram of Xylitol per piece of gum or per mint. That means ingesting 1 piece of gum can result in hypoglycemia. At a higher dose 0.5 grams/kg, Xylitol can cause severe liver disease.
Symptoms of Xylitol ingestion can be vomiting, weakness, lethargy, ataxia (walking unsteady), collapse, or seizures. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is typically seen within 30 minutes to two hours of xylitol ingestion but in rare cases the symptoms can be delayed as long as 12 hours. Hypoglycemia is dangerous and can be severe enough to be life-threatening. If you know that your dog ingested a Xylitol containing product, immediately contact your veterinarian. Even if you are not certain that your pet ingested Xylitol, but if there is a chance, don’t wait. Early diagnosis and treatment can save your pet’s life.
Your veterinarian will induce vomiting to remove as much of the Xylitol out of your pet’s stomach. If hypoglycemia develops, your pet will be hospitalized with IV fluids containing dextrose until your pet’s body can self-regulate the blood glucose level. This may take up to 2 days. If your pet ingested a higher dose and it caused liver injury, liver enzymes will be closely monitored and supportive care with liver protectants will be provided.
Prognosis is excellent with early diagnosis and treatment for hypoglycemia. However, if there is liver injury with higher dose of Xylitol ingestion, prognosis is guarded.
Make sure everyone in your home is aware of the danger of Xylitol to your pet, and keep these items in a secure place away from your dog’s reach.
And, what would Halloween be without sweet, decadent chocolate:
Chocolate is a staple for Halloween. What is delicious for us can be toxic to dogs and cats. Chocolate contains a chemical called methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine). The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is to your pet. For example, baking chocolate contains more methylxanthines than milk or white chocolate. Ingesting toxic amounts of chocolate can cause your pet to have fast heat rate, abnormal rhythm, tremors, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea and even death if prompt medical treatment is not provided. Toxicity depends on the amount and the type of chocolate ingested, but it is best to never let your pets eat chocolate.
In the unfortunate event that your pet needs care, immediately call your veterinarian or go to the emergency clinic.
Or call Vetsavers Pet Hospital, your veterinarian in Carrollton at 972-939-0900. We are open 7 days a week, our exam fee is always just $39 and if your pet has not been here before, your first doctor exam is free.
