Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, present in small amounts in fruit, which is used to

Question

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, present in small amounts in fruit, which is used to sweeten sugar-free products such as gums, medicines such as antacids and vitamins, lozenges/mints, toothpaste, candies, peanut butter or baked goods. In most mammals, xylitol has no significant effect on insulin levels, but in dogs, xylitol stimulates a rapid, dose-dependent insulin release that can result in profound hypoglycemia. Dosages of xylitol over ~75-100 mg/kg have been associated with hypoglycemia in dogs. Some dogs ingesting xylitol at dosages > 500 mg/kg may develop severe hepatic insufficiency or failure caused by liver necrosis, the mechanism of which is unknown and which is frequently fatal. The amount of xylitol is not listed on the package, but most chewing gums contain 0.22-1.0 g xylitol per piece of gum. A 20 lb dog eats a package of sugar-free gum containing 14 pieces. What range of xylitol did it ingest?

Explanation / Answer

Each piece of xylitol gum contain in gms = 0.22-1.0 g

Weight of dog in kgs = 20 lb = 20 x 0.4536 = 9.07 kg (or)

20 lb/2.204 = 9.07 kg

No. of pieces of gums dog ate = 14 pieces

So amount of xylitol dog ate in mg = 14 x (0.22 g) to 14 x (1.0 g) = 3.08 g to 14 g = 3080 mg to 14000 mg

Range of xylitol dog ingested in mg/Kg = 3080 mg/9.07 kg = 339.58 mg/Kg to 14000 mg/9.07 kg = 1543.55 mg/kg

So the range of xylitol dog ingested in mg/kg = 339.58 mg/Kg - 1543.55 mg/kg

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