How a Sweet Treat Nearly Took Beau’s Life And How We Saved Him
A real-time emergency. A life-threatening toxin. And the specialty care that made the difference.
Beau Ate Something Sugar-Free. It Nearly Cost Him His Life.
Beau, a curious and playful 3-year-old French Bulldog, found himself in serious danger after getting into his owner's bag. What seemed like an innocent snack — a half-eaten pack of sugar-free gum — turned out to be a life-threatening emergency.
That gum contained xylitol, a sugar substitute that’s safe for humans but extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause rapid insulin release, dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), seizures, and potentially fatal liver failure.
Within hours, Beau began vomiting. His family noticed he was lethargic and trembling. Thankfully, they acted quickly. Beau was rushed to a local ER and then referred to Pinnacle Veterinary Specialists, where he was immediately admitted for 24/7 intensive care.
Over five days, our dedicated team monitored Beau’s vitals around the clock, administered intravenous dextrose to stabilize his blood glucose, and performed multiple plasma transfusions to help correct severe coagulopathies caused by liver damage. He was also started on critical liver-protecting medications, including N-acetylcysteine and Denamarin.
It was a tough road. At one point, Beau’s liver enzymes skyrocketed to more than 12,000 U/L — a value that would alarm even the most experienced professionals. But thanks to early intervention, expert care, and constant monitoring, Beau pulled through.
When he finally wagged his tail and ate for his owner, it was a moment of victory — for Beau, his family, and the entire Pinnacle team. His liver still needs close monitoring, but Beau is home, happy, and on the road to recovery.
Have questions about toxins like xylitol? Call us anytime at (610) 477-8797.
Clinical Case Details
Case File: Xylitol-Induced Hypoglycemia and Hepatic Injury – “Beau”
Patient: “Beau” – 3-year-old MN French Bulldog, 9.7 kg
Presentation: Ingestion of ~20 pieces of Ice Breakers gum. Vomiting started within an hour. Continued emesis through the day. Presented with mild lethargy and intermittent vomiting.
Toxic Dose Estimate: 100–500+ mg/kg; suspect dose >500 mg/kg based on number of pieces consumed.
Clinical Findings
- BG at presentation: 128 mg/dL (normal range but trending monitored q2h)
- ALT: >12,000 U/L by Day 3 (measured via 1:30 dilution)
- T. Bili: 1.2 mg/dL
- PT: >100s | PTT: >300s (initial)
- Hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia noted
Treatment Protocol
- IV Fluids: Normosol-R with 2.5%–5% Dextrose CRI
- Antiemetics: Cerenia (1 mg/kg IV q24), Ondansetron (0.3 mg/kg IV q12)
- Hepatic Support:
- N-acetylcysteine (140 mg/kg IV load, followed by 70 mg/kg q6)
- Denamarin (18 mg/kg PO q24)
- Vitamin K (2.5–5 mg/kg SQ/PO q24)
- FFP Transfusions: Four 20 mL/kg transfusions over 4 days
- Noted transfusion reaction (facial swelling) resolved with diphenhydramine
- Supportive:
- Central line placement with alfaxalone sedation
- Gabapentin (100 mg PO q8) for anxiety
- Gradual dextrose taper once BG stabilized
- Small frequent meals as appetite returned
Outcome
- ALT dropped to 4,168 U/L by Day 5
- PT/PTT normalized
- Patient remained BAR with stable BG
- Discharged with Denamarin, Vitamin K, and probiotics (Visbiome)
- Rechecks showed continued ALT improvement: 1754 → 494 over two weeks
Clinical Takeaway: Xylitol toxicity is a true emergency. Even in patients who do not initially present hypoglycemic, hepatic injury may occur rapidly and unpredictably. In Beau’s case, early and aggressive intervention, combined with continuous monitoring and multi-modal hepatic support, led to a favorable outcome.
Want to refer a complex toxicology case?
Refer a case online or call us 24/7 at (610) 477-8797.
Beau’s Hospital Journey
Day 1
Ingested gum, vomiting, initial ER visit, referred to Pinnacle
Day 2
Admitted, central line placement, ALT >12,000, 2nd FFP
Day 3
Facial swelling noted, 4th FFP administered, BG stabilized
Day 4
ALT trending down, first appetite return, stable PT/PTT
Day 5
Discharged with home care plan
Why Choose Pinnacle?
At Pinnacle, we don’t just treat pets — we become their lifeline in critical moments. From advanced diagnostics to specialty treatment and 24/7 ICU monitoring, we are equipped to handle the most serious emergencies with compassion and precision.
Whether it’s xylitol toxicity, trauma, or internal medicine, our team brings calm to chaos — and hope to the families who trust us.
Advanced Care. 24/7 Monitoring. Emergency-Ready.
Have a Critical Case? We’re Always Ready.