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Press Releases
September
7, 2006
For
Immediate Release
Media
Contact: Michelle Pintar
Direct:
(414) 431-6104
E-mail:
mpintar@wihumane.org
Sugar-Free
Sweet Treats Bad for Sparky
GRAFTON,
Wis. – Sugar-free chewing gum, candies
and other goodies may be favorite sweet treats for
people. However, some sugar-free products can cause
serious and potentially fatal consequences for your
companion animals due to what is found in sugar-free
treats – a sweetener called xylitol.
Companion
animals that ingest xylitol may have a sudden drop
in blood sugar, which would result in depression,
loss of coordination and seizures. Xylitol may also
be linked to liver failure in dogs. It is common
for negative affects to occur in animals within
minutes after ingesting products with xylitol, but
sometimes serious problems may not appear until
later.
Fortunately,
to date the Ozaukee Humane Society hasn't treated
an animal with health problems due to ingesting
xylitol. However, OHS urges guardians of companion
animals to never give their animals any food containing
this sweetener.
If
you feel your animal has consumed xylitol, contact
your veterinarian immediately.
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