This weekend I saw a dog who had eaten a packet of 25 Nicorette chewing gum.
This highlighted two dangers that many owners are unaware of.
Nicotine is toxic to dogs in these types of amounts. Nicorette gum also contains the artificial sweetener xylitol.
This is also very toxic to dogs. It is reported to be 200 times more toxic than chocolate.
Nicotine is found in cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, replacement gums, patches and nasal sprays, as well as in certain pesticides. (Cigarette butts concentrate the nicotine).
A 5kg dog would be very ill after eating two to four cigarettes (depending on brand) and would die after eating ten.
The symptoms of nicotine poisoning include tremors, vomiting, weakness, stumbling, depression, fast breathing or difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, drooling and cardiac arrhythmias. Death occurs when the respiratory muscles become paralysed.
If your pet has eaten any of these things please contact your vet immediately.
Xylitol is a very common artificial sweetener in many products.
Products that may contain xylitol include sugar-free gum, sweets, breath mints, baked goods, cough syrup, children’s chewable vitamins, mouthwash, and toothpaste, to list a few.
The most common source of xylitol poisoning that vets see comes from sugar-free gum. As few as nine pieces of gum of certain brands is enough to cause serious problems in a 20kg dog. Xylitol causes low blood glucose which causes weakness, depression, tremors, unco-ordination, collapse and coma. This can occur within an hour of ingestion.
Larger amounts of xylitol can cause liver failure up to 72 hours after ingestion. If your dog or cat has eaten anything containing xylitol please contact your vet immediately who will monitor the situation with regular blood tests and treat as needed.
So please check all your nicotine and xylitol containing products and keep them away from your pets.
Alder Veterinary Practice, 58 Bourne Road, Spalding, PE11 1JW. Call 01775 766646. Opening hours 8.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 10am alternate Saturdays. 24 hour emergency cover.
