[labman]

As many of you already know, Xylitol, a natural sweetener, is very
toxic to dogs, causing hypoglycema (low blood glucose) that can lead
to depression, vomiting, seizures, and even death. Even a very small
dosage can cause toxicity: 41 mg may cause hypoglycemia in a 100 lb
dog, while a single stick of chewing gum may have two grams (2,000
mg) of Xylitol. See the following web sites for more info on Xylitol
poisoning in dogs:

http://www.avma. Org/onlnews/ javma/sep04/ 040901c.asp
http://www.aspca. Org/site/ DocServer/ Foss-Tox_ Brief-Nov_ VT_04.pdf
http://www.aspca. Org/site/ PageServer? Pagename= pro_apcc_ news082106
http://www.mainetod ay.com/pets/ dogslife/ 004476.html

Note that the sweeteners mannitol and sorbitol are NOT toxic to dogs.

I recently learned that there are a number of products marketed for
dogs that contain Xylitol among their ingredients! Here is a list of
the products that I found:

Advanced Dental Chews, made by Animal Dermatology Laboratories
http://www.calvetsu pply.com/ index.asp? PageActionfiltered= VIEWPROD& ProdID=1062

C.E.T. AquaDent (drinking water additive) and Petrodex Breath Spray
For Pets, made by Virbac Animal Health
http://www.medi- vet.com/detail. Aspx~ID~3009
http://www.virbacpe ts.com/petrodex/ product.php? Pid=198

BreathaLyser Plus and AQuala (drinking water additives), made by
imRex, Inc.
http://www.healthyp ets.com/brwaad1. Html
http://www.petacula r.com/products/ Aquala-Dog. Html

CurTail Pet Food Enzyme Drops (used to treat gas), made by AkPharma
Inc
http://acatdog. Com/detail. Aspx?ID=25

I also saw xylitol listed as an ingredient in Dragons Teeth and
Dragonette Dog Biscuits made by Solid Gold, but it was not among the
ingredients listed on their web site, so I wrote to the company and
they told me that they removed xylitol from their biscuits about
eight months ago, which was good to hear.

I have written to each of the companies that manufacture these
products. Only two of the four companies responded. Here are the
responses I received:

imRex (BreathaLyser Plus and Aquala) claimed that there wasn't enough
Xylitol in their product to be concerned about, but then said that
"the dog will drink a maximum of 0.05grms per day." 0.05 grams is 50
mg, enough to potentially cause hypoglycemia in a 100 lb dog. That
also doesn't account for owners who might give more than the
recommended amount, or spills that the dog might lap up. There's
simply no reason why a company should add a potentially toxic
ingredient to products made for dogs, no matter how small the amount.

AkPharma (CurTail Pet Food Enzyme Drops) thanked me for contacting
them and said, "We have never had a report of any such reactions in
the 6 years that our product has been formulated with
xylitol. Nonetheless, having seen the information that you sent, we
are withholding sales until we investigate further." I was very
impressed with their response.

Neither Animal Dermatology Laboratories nor Virbac responded to my
inquiry.

I would suggest contacting the companies that make these products and
letting them know that you will not use their products, and will be
warning others against them. If they hear from enough people, it
should give them incentive to change their formulas.

It would also be helpful to let any company who carries these
products know about the dangers. One company that I contacted has
already decided to stop selling the product that they carried once
they learned about the risks of xylitol. Again, if companies will not
sell these products, the manufacturers will have to take action.

Here is the contact info for the companies that make these products:

Advanced Dental Chews
Advanced Animal Dental Laboratories, a division of Animal Dermatology
Laboratories
P.O. Box 19097
Irvine, CA 92623
http://www.adlvet. Com/
e-mail: [email protected]
800-521-2525

C.E.T. AquaDent
Petrodex Breath Spray For Pets
Virbac Animal Health
3200 Meacham Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76137
http://www.virbacve t.com/
http://www.virbacpe ts.com/petrodex/ product.php? Pid=198
e-mail: mwalsh@virbacus. Com
800-338-3659

BreathaLyser Plus and Aquala - Dental Care Water Additives
imRex, Inc.
2 Pioneer Drive RR #5
Komoka, Ontario N0L 1R0
http://www.goimrex. Com/
e-mail: romanowski@rogers. Com
800-851-3819

CurTail Pet Food Enzyme Drops
AkPharma Inc. (note this company is already looking into changing
their formula)
http://www.akpharma .com/curtail/ curtail_index. Html

[AKaeTrue]

Thank you for this valuable information.
I'm baffled as to why an ingredient toxic to dogs is being put into a product specifically made for dogs.
This simply shouldn't be! I'm sure that the people buying these products for their pet are unaware of the potential danger.
Thanks again,