This did not happen to me but I have been asked to pass it on - message came via a UK University Safety Office
Christine
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I don't usually post to the list, however, I would like to share with
the list an experience that we have just endured and hopefully the
death of this young dog will help someone else. I really don't want
to believe that her death was for no reason.

Our granddaughters 4 1/2 yr. old bitch ate 28 pieces of sugarless
gum,contained ASPARTAME, 30 minutes after ingestion 3
seizures took place in 30 minutes, the emergency vet would not
listen to me when I stated over and over that she ate this gum, he
insisted that if it wasn't a mushroom or something else that she got
into, that it couldn't be the gum. This was 6:30pm and by the time
they got the blood work back at 11pm, liver levels were not out of
sight however the ammonia levels were already extremely high. By
the time the regular vet got the blood work back at 5:30pm the next
day, it was a done deal, and they all then agreed that she was
being poisoned.

Jade was a wonderful pet and companion for our granddaughter,
ran on our sled team.

This was a terrible tragedy that I feel could have been prevented,
and when, because I insisted he call the poison control, they too
said "no, couldn't be the Aspartame", it is toxic but.......

Hopefully if this ever happens to anyone out there that this will help
make the vets more aware. I know that our vet certainly is more
aware now and is calling the Poison Control and letting them know
that this is more toxic than they are telling people.

Hi,

So sorry to hear about Jade, this is very scary!!

manda
X

What a terrible thing to happen :(

If anone does a 'search' on Aspartme, found in most things 'diet', from drinks to yoghurts, you'll find it's not as 'sweet' as it's made out to be!
I won't touch the stuff if I can help it!

Thanks for the warning. My sister works for a chewing gum company and as part of her wages they are given boxes of chewing gum. So we very often have chewing gum by the boxful lying around.
A few months ago one of the dogs did eat a whole boxful with no ill effects but will now be extra careful.

How terrible for the family concerned, please send my sympathy to them all. Im going to cross post this on another site I go to as this is scary.

That is so sad - what that poor dog must have went through.
You'ld never believe chewing gum would be so harmful. We normally have packets lying all over the house, but you can bet that the kids will be lifting them now. Baillie's never went near them before, but he won't get the chance now!!