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

The weight of the dog is 20 lbs.

We know that 1 kg ? 2.2046 lb.

Therefore, weight of the dog = (20 lb)*(1 kg)/(2.2046 lb) = 9.0719 kg.

The dog eats 14 pieces of chewing gum. Each chewing gum contains 0.22-1.0 g xylitol. Therefore, the amount of xylitol taken by the dog ranges from 14*(0.22 g) = 3.08 g to 14*(1.0 g) = 14.0 g.

Therefore, the dosage of xylitol ingested by the dog is (amount of xylitol taken)/(weight of dog) = (3.08 g – 14.0 g)/(9.0719 kg) = 0.3395-1.5432 g/kg = (0.3395-1.5432)g/kg*(1000 g/1 g) = 339.5 mg/kg to 1543.2 mg/kg (ans).

Thus, the dog has a high chance of developing liver necrosis.

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