Everyone knows that chocolate is bad for dogs, but what about chewing gum?

Pooch lucky to be alive after eating gum
Luke Simcoe, Saskatchewan news Network; Canwest News Service
Published: Friday, November 07, 2008
SASKATOON -- Everyone knows that chocolate is bad for dogs, but what about chewing gum?

Tamara Hergott's seven-year-old beagle, Satchmo, is lucky to be alive after getting his paws on a package of Stride-brand gum.

"He ate the whole thing, wrapper and all," Hergott said.

The gum contained xylitol, a low-calorie sweetener used in a wide-range of products including gum, mints, chewable vitamins and some baked goods.

While safe for humans -- it's touted as an alternative for diabetics and good for dental health -- xylitol can be exceptionally harmful for dogs.

According to Maxie Krueger with the western college of veterinary medicine, xylitol can trigger hypoglycemia -- low blood sugar -- in dogs. High doses have been shown to cause liver damage or even liver failure.

Fortunately for Satchmo, Hergott caught him in the act and rushed him to the veterinarian. They induced vomiting, and although all the gum was thrown up, the dog was kept overnight on an IV drip and his blood sugar was closely monitored.

Satchmo didn't suffer any permanent damage, but Hergott says the vet told her the amount of gum the dog ate could have been fatal.

"If we wouldn't have noticed that he ate the gum, he would probably be dead," she said.

This isn't the first time Satchmo's indiscriminating appetite has got him in trouble. Among other eating mishaps, Hergott says the beagle once downed some chocolate during a Christmas dinner. Similar measures had to be taken, but the results weren't as serious.




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