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Artificial Sweetener Found In Candy, Gum A Growing Danger For Dogs

(CBS) -- An artificial sweetener, found in candies and gums that's harmless to humans is poisonous to dogs and is increasingly leading to death, reports CBS 2's Vince Gerasole.

The bond between owner and dog is strong, case in point Steve Otis and his buddy Max.

"I don't have any children and I am not married so he pretty much fills those needs," Otis said.

But a sugar substitute, xylitol found in a growing number of gums, candies, and peanut butter can be poisonous or even deadly to dogs and that's a surprise to most owners.

"I've never heard about it and I am pretty conscious about different additives that are in foods," Otis said.

Veterinarian Natalie Marks says in recent years her Lake View practice is seeing roughly one xylitol poisoning a month.

"This is pretty much a new toxicity in veterinary medicine within in the past five to ten years and we are finding more about it as we go," Dr. Marks said.

Xylitol related calls to the ASPCA Poison Control Center demonstrate the rising threat. Just 82 were registered in 2004, last year the number reached 3,727. The exposure can cause severe low blood sugar levels, seizures and liver failure. Two-year-old Luna died when she got into a pack of gum.

"Kind of a rule of thumb is a 20 pound dog can have a toxicity from one or two pieces of gum so we don't need this huge exposure," Dr. Marks said.

Some animal welfare groups are calling for warning labels on products with xylitol, to protect a much loved member of the family.

"I have four kids but he's my fifth," Erica Nadler said about her dog. "He's the best cause he doesn't ask for money."

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