El bubble gum It is one of the treats most used by humans, and yet one of the most dangerous for our dogs. Unfortunately, the lack of civility means that they can find these sweets at their fingertips practically during each walk, lying on the ground of the street. It is important that we avoid ingesting them for the reasons explained below.
First of all, we must know that most sugar-free chewing gums and candies contain a substance called xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is used as a substitute for sugar, also present in some bakery products. This is highly toxic to cats and dogs, and can even cause liver failure. And it is that its intake causes a strong release of insulin by the body, which leads to a radical decrease in blood glucose levels.
This Hypoglycemia It occurs between 30 and 60 minutes after ingestion, and seriously damages the liver. It occurs when the amount of xylitol consumed is greater than 0,5 g per kilogram of body weight. Symptoms that demonstrate such intoxication are vomiting, seizures, fatigue, tremors, loss of coordination, and in severe cases, liver failure.
If we observe any of these signs, we must go to a veterinary clinic immediately. There the expert must induce vomiting in the dog to remove xylitol from its body. Sometimes it is also necessary to apply intravenous glucose infusions, depending on the amount consumed and the condition of the animal. If the treatment is carried out quickly, the dog will most likely respond with good results.
Regardless of all this, chewing gum also poses another danger, and that is can get clogged in the intestinal walls or in the esophagus, causing drowning in the can. Sometimes the medication is enough to eliminate these remains, although in other cases it is necessary to resort to surgery.