If you believe your pet has eaten anything with Xylitol, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Hotline. Time is critical in cases of Xylitol toxicity. 

If your dog has consumed something with Xylitol your veterinarian is likely to begin treatment before a definitive diagnosis is made, especially if symptoms of hypoglycemia or liver necrosis are presenting. If you have the packaging for the gum still available, bring it to the veterinarian’s office as well. 

Blood tests and urinalysis of a dog poisoned by Xylitol will likely reveal lowered blood sugar, phosphate and potassium levels. Coagulation times may be increased due to a low platelet count and there may be evidence of bleeding in the gastrointestinal system that will help determine the final diagnosis. 

Initial treatment will depend on how long it has been since the gum was ingested and if any symptoms have begun. In almost all cases, your dog will be admitted right away. If the gum was consumed within the last two hours or if there are no symptoms showing vomiting will be induced to prevent the absorption of the Xylitol into the bloodstream. Your dog will then be placed on an IV drip of dextrose to stabilize blood sugar levels as well as fluids to prevent dehydration, and will likely remain in the hospital for at least 24 to 48 hours.

Several blood tests will usually be done over the next few days after ingestion to monitor liver enzymes and blood clotting so that if a liver problem does develop, aggressive action can be taken as quickly as possible. Dogs with liver trouble are likely to be in the hospital for monitoring and treatment for at least 72 hours, and even with aggressive treatments the prognosis is poor.

 

With timely and appropriate medical support, the prognosis is good for a hypoglycemic response. It will usually require a 24 tp 48 hour hospital stay for monitoring and the regaining of proper fluid balance. You will want to follow any instructions given by your veterinarian for special dietary conditions, as well as keep things calm at home for the first little while.

After your dog's condition has been stabilised and he has been released from the hospital, follow up appointments to check the functioning of the liver over the next few days will be vital. If the dog’s liver becomes necrotic, the likelihood of a positive outcome diminishes greatly even with aggressive treatment. Therefore, a swift diagnosis is advantageous.