• Limb Amputation

• Chewing Gum Toxicity

Case of the Month

Case: Limb Amputation                                

Non-healing fracture in an older dog:

Front limb amputation

Case Description:

Buddy is a thirteen year old Chihuahua.  He presented to our hospital near the end of November for a possible broken leg.  Radiographs were taken which confirmed a complete transverse fracture to the radius and ulna of the right front leg.  Due to his age the prognosis for the leg to heal completely was very poor, however the owners wanted to save the leg if at all possible.  Buddy was sedated and a cast was placed on the leg to stabilize the fracture.  The cast was changed every few weeks and radiographs were taken each time to see how the fracture was healing.    The radiographs showed very little progress was being made, and in early February it was determined that the bones were starting to degenerate and the leg could not be saved.  The decision was made to amputate the leg.  Just a few hours after the surgery was performed, Buddy was standing up and walking around like nothing had happened.

                                         November                                                                           February

Case: Chewing Gum Toxicity

Sudden liver failure due to sugar free chewing gum:

Xylitol toxicosis in a pet dog

Case Description:

Our patient is a two year old spayed mixed breed female dog. She is mostly a house dog with very little exposure to other environments or pets.  The owner was home with her dog when she suddenly vomited several times and collapsed.  She was presented as an emergency to her vet and quickly assessed.  On physical examination she was found to be in shock and was started on IV fluids to help stabilize her condition.  Whole body radiographs were taken and no cause was identified.  Complete in-house blood count and chemistry revealed an extremely elevated liver value at roughly 20 times above a normal value and low blood platelets.  Potential causes at this point included toxins, liver or other organ torsion, and unknown trauma.  An ultrasound was completed within hours of her arrival and her gall bladder was found to be extremely thickened and her liver somewhat abnormal.  That night, she was sent to a 24-hour emergency center for overnight care and further diagnostics.  The doctors there first helped to further stabilize her with IV plasma to aid her blood to clot normally and then completed an exploratory surgery with a liver biopsy and gall bladder removal.  The organs were sent in for histopathology.  The liver was found to contain wide spread cellular necrosis and the gall bladder was thickened due to hemorrhage.  The patient was kept in hospital for several additional days for supportive care and was released to the owner’s care approximately 1 week later. Upon reviewing the histopathology with the owner a potential cause of xylitol was discussed and the owner did advise that the pet had been chewing on one stick of sugar free gum some time that week but she had not connected this with any potential toxin.  The presumptive diagnosis was xylitol toxicity.  Three years later, the patient is doing well, but will need to have bloodwork performed periodically to check her liver function which remains slightly elevated.  The patient will also need to remain on a prescription liver support diet for the remainder of her life.

***Disclaimer: This patient belongs to an employee of Antelope Animal Hospital and was initially diagnosed and treated in another state.

What is Xylitol?

An artificial sweetener found in many sugar free products such as chewing gum.

What does it do?

In dogs it causes either a profound episode of very low blood sugar or sudden liver damage.

How toxic is it?

Potentially as little as one stick of sugar free gun can cause liver failure and death.

How is it cured?

Avoid the source!  Once the animal has shown signs of disease only supportive and life saving care can be offered.  The goal is to keep the pet alive long enough for the liver to begin healing.

Does it hurt people?

Not based on current information, the product appears to react much differently in dogs than in humans.

What do I do if I suspect that my pet ingested one of these products?

Bring the pet to your doctor immediately and they will discuss how to proceed to keep your pet safe.

Link to the ASPCA & further information on xylitol