From Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,
Your Guide to Veterinary Medicine.
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Xylitol is a sugar alcohol -- an artificial sweetener created from birch, raspberries, plums and corn.¹ This sweetener is found in many human "sugar free" products, such as gum, candies and other sweets. In humans, high doses may have a mild laxative effect, but in dogs, ingestion could be fatal.

It has been known for quite some time that there is a link between xylitol ingestion and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in dogs. Now, with the prevalance of this sweeter in human foods, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has noted a connection between xylitol consumption and acute toxicity in dogs. Xylitol has also been suspected of causing toxicity in ferrets².

Signs of toxicity can be seen as quickly as 30 minutes after xylitol ingestion in dogs. The xylitol causes a rapid release of the hormone insulin, causing a sudden decrease in blood glucose. This in turn may cause the following symptoms³:

• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)
• Depression
• Hypokalemia (decreased potassium)
• Seizures
• Coma
• Liver dysfunction and/or failure

If you suspect that your pet has eaten a xylitol-containing sweet or food, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center as soon as possible. If is soon after ingestion (before clinical signs develop), your vet may advise inducing vomiting to expel the xylitol item(s). Veterinary treatment involves close monitoring and treating the resultant low blood glucose and possible low potassium levels.

Related Reading and Resources:
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Hotline information

Xylitol Sugar Substitute Toxic to Dogs
By David Edelman

Is Chewing Gum Toxic to Your Pet?
By Dr. Debra Primovic

Xylitol Information
From Wikipedia

Raisin, Grape and Xylitol Toxicity
By Dr. Bob Judd, DVM and the Texas Farm Bureau

References:
¹Xylitol information from Wikipedia

²Man claims sugarless gum to blame for pet ferret's death
From WKYC-TV, Cleveland Ohio

³Xylitol information from Knowles Animal Clinic