Another Xylitol warning....UPDATE

[Belinda Stevens]

I feel this warning can not be out there enough. Especially with lots of new doodles coming home for Christmas.
Tonight Stella ate about 5 pieces of Ice Breakers, Ice Cubes gum and yes it contains Xylitol. Apparently just about all sugarless gum contains the artificial sweetener. We went into the store for what we thought was a quick trip to get our dachshund a new coat and some treats for them both. Not wanting to deal with both of them while trying on coats I left her in the car where I had forgot about the gum. Stella is now at the Emergency Vet. She has to spend the next 24 hours there on an IV drip and to monitor her liver function. They said that fortunately we discovered that she ate the gum within an hour and got her straight to the hospital and that is a positive for her treatment.
I feel so bad because I have read the warnings here on doodlekisses and I have had a friend that had to go though the same thing. I totally knew better and yet let the stupid mistake happen. Now all I can do is sit here tonight and pray that she will be ok. If all goes well she can come home in time for Christmas eve. In the mean time if anyone can learn by others mistakes (obviously I can't) please do. At best this will cost us 800+ at worst my best friend which dollars can not measure.

[Belinda Stevens]

Oh I do intend on writing the Hersey Co. It really makes you wonder how safe these products can be if they are this dangerous to dogs. Thanks for the info.

[Belinda Stevens]

Well I talked to the hospital this morning at 6 and Stella is still recovering. This morning at 5 her blood glucose was down to 85 which is lower but still acceptable, she said the normal range is between 75 and 130 for her size. So they feed her and I’m sure according to Stella was not nearly enough considering all the vomiting they made her do last night. I am supposed to get a call from today Dr. this morning as for the game plan for today and this evening. Hopefully, she will be able to come home tonight and be there to bark at Santa when he tries to sneak in.
Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers as last night was rather rough. I will post another update tonight.

[Pauline Rackley]

Belinda,
Zeus and I are praying for a speedy recovery for Stella. Thank goodness you realized what happened and got her to the vet right away. Please don't be so hard on yourself, we all make mistakes sometimes.
Love and wags,
Pauline & Zeus

[Jaime]

Has she been able to come home? I hope you let us know. I am thinking of her constantly, Thank goodness you found out when you did.

[theresa wood]

hope she will be ok! i didn't know all that. i will watch. please let us know about stella.

[Barbara Burrows]

Belinda, I am so sorry to hear about Stella. Praying she will be well enough to come home tonight. It is so important to keep the message out there about Xylitol.

[z06558zx020a]

I am so sorry. I hadn't read the warnings for Doodles on that before. I wish I hadn't found out through your tragedy thou. I pray everything works out.

[Debbie & Cotton Clegg]

Cotton and I are also praying for Stella. A similar thing happened to Cotton this summer. She got into a bowl of pork fat that had been skimmed from Bar b que hash. My darling husband forgot to dispose of it. She vomited a LOT and was then very lethargic, but she bounced back like only a Doodle can. We hope for Stella to do the same thing.

[Jessica]

Have you noticed the Ads by Google for Xylitol gum; (bottom R.H. of the page, on the first page of this discussion) Does it turn anyone else's stomache to see them there!?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Google ads pick up on topics & words used in the discussion.

[Doe Asombrado]

Belinda! I'm sooo sorry about Stella! That is awful! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please let us know how things turn out with Stella. She's young and strong, she'll pull through! this could have happened to anyone of us so please don't beat yourself up because of it.

[Belinda Stevens]

We just got home from picking her up. They had to wait 24 hours for the next blood test. She is doing good. There was one enzyme (I can't remember which one now) in her blood test that was a bit high. She is on Denamarin for the next 2 weeks to help protect her liver and I have to take her to our vet on Friday to get her blood work done again and then again a few days later. All in all much better than last night... well at least I am. I don't think she ever had a clue as to how much danger she was in. She is looking a bit silly with her shaved leg. I will have to post some pictures tomorrow.
It turns out that this gum has one of the highest levels of Xylitol. A very expensive lesson has been learned to say the least. But I am also very frustrated that this is allowed on the market. I would hope that a company like Hershey would do more to protect our pet. I have so far sent 7 letters and one e-mail to them asking them to please do their part in helping to keep our dogs safe. If I ever hear anything I will e sure to let everyone know.
Thanks again for all your thought and prayers for Stella. You have know idea how much it meant and helped me through the last 24 hours.