Staffie almost dies after wolfing down 30 pieces of sugar-free chewing gum

A DOG almost died after eating five packets of sugar-free chewing gum.

Staffie Coco scoffed 30 pieces she found containing sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

Owner James Michael rushed the five-year-old to the vet after returning home to find her collapsed in the kitchen.

James, from Vauxhall, South London, said: "I knew something was wrong because she usually jumps up at me when I get in the front door.

"I found her lying flat on her side on the floor in the kitchen.

"She looked paralysed.

"I didn't know chewing gum was poisonous for dogs until the vet at Blue Cross told me I needed to bring Coco in immediately.

"I was panicking and thinking she wasn't going to pull through."

Blue Cross vet Georgie Herne said: "It's very lucky that James got Coco to us so quickly.

"She had eaten quite a lot of gum and we think collapsed after going into glycaemic shock.
"With the amount of gum she had eaten she could have died but we were able to make her vomit and get most of it out of her system along with bits of foil and a bottle top!

"We did X-rays to ensure she had no blockages and then we put her on fluids and monitored her overnight here at the hospital."

Xylitol, reduces the release of insulin which can result in low blood sugar and occasionally liver damage.

As well as sugar-free gum, it can also be found in some sweets, mouthwashes, toothpastes and supplements.