The dog handler pointed out the danger of chewing gum for dogs

Chewing gum poses two main threats to a pet. The main danger is that the dog, after swallowing it, may choke and suffocate. In addition, the dangerous substance contained in its composition can cause serious harm to the pet's health, which can also be fatal. This was reported to Izvestia by the Russian Cynological Federation (RCF) on April 29.

"The main component of chewing gum that threatens the pet's health is the artificial sugar substitute xylitol. In dogs, due to their metabolism, even a small dose of this substance can cause a decrease in blood glucose (hypoglycemia) and liver damage. At the same time, xylitol is absolutely safe for people," explained Vladimir Golubev, President of the RCF.

If the dog has swallowed the gum, check the composition. If xylitol is found in it, you should immediately consult a veterinarian — the first clinical signs of poisoning may appear within an hour. A decrease in glucose levels will be accompanied by seizures, vomiting and weakness, the expert explained. At the clinic, the dog will be given a gastric lavage, sugar levels and liver enzymes will be checked.

The Russian Cynological Federation stressed that even if no dangerous substance is found in the composition, it is still necessary to closely monitor the pet's condition, since chewing gum can cause intestinal blockage — it does not split when swallowed. Intestinal obstruction will be accompanied by refusal of food and water, inability to defecate, vomiting with foam and bloating. The situation can be fatal if the operation is not performed on time.

If the chewing gum has blocked the airway, you should fix the dog and open its mouth wide. If the gum is visible, then you need to try to carefully remove it with your hands or tweezers, but you need to be careful not to push it even deeper.

If you can't get the gum yourself, the expert advised lifting the dog by its hind legs so that the pelvis is higher than the shoulders. A small dog can be lifted by its hind legs and gently shaken, directing the movement towards the floor. With the right actions, the pet will be able to get rid of the foreign body. A cough is a good sign that the airway is not blocked.

The RCF recalled that the best protection against such situations is prevention and precautionary measures. It is necessary to wean the dog to pick up something from the ground on the street. At the same time, the pet must be able to clearly execute the commands "fu" and "no". Chewing gum should be kept out of the reach of the animal at home.

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Earlier, on February 21, veterinarian Alexander Alyasov told Izvestia that the most common diseases in pets that are difficult to notice without examination include kidney failure, heart disease, periodontal disease (deep damage to the parotid tissue) and arthritis. Overweight and obesity are also private problems of some animals.