Moncton vet warning dog owners about dangers of a “toxic” sweetener

MONCTON, N.B.- A Moncton veterinarian is warning dog owners about the dangers associated with a sweetener found in many human foods.

The substance is called xylitol and it’s founds in many products including gum, baking products and even oral hygiene products.

Dr. Chantal Houle, a veterinarian at the Oaks Vet in Moncton, said the sweetener can kill a dog in minutes.

“For people it’s completely safe but for dogs it’s incredibly toxic,” she said. “It causes their blood sugar to go from normal to nothing in as little as 15 minutes after eating the gum.”

Dog owners whose pets have come in contact with products that include the sweetener know the risks.

Rick Leger’s standard poodle, Benji, almost died after ingesting over 25 pieces of gum.

“When the wife called me she was hysterical,” he said. “His four legs were sprawled out on the floor he was totally collapsed.”

He said they rushed their dog to The Oaks Vet where staff saved his life. The vet bill reached into the thousands of dollars but Leger said it was worth it to save Benji.

Now he’s encouraging others to be aware of the danger.

“You wouldn’t want anybody to go through what we went through with this dog,” he said. “We love him and you don’t want to lose a family pet over him eating some gum.”