After the devastating loss of her 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Luna, a Wisconsin woman named Samantha Carress is speaking out, hoping to prevent other pet owners from facing the same heartache. Luna’s sudden death was not only tragic, but avoidable, and Samantha now feels compelled to raise awareness about a hidden danger lurking in many households: Xylitol.
Luna, like many playful pups, loved to explore and chew on anything she could find around the house. One day, in an innocent act of curiosity, she came across a package of lemon-flavored chewing gum. Unbeknownst to her, the sweet treat contained Xylitol, a sugar substitute that is safe for humans but highly toxic to dogs. Within hours, the poison had attacked Luna’s liver, leading to her sudden collapse.
Image Credit from YouTube video
Xylitol is commonly found in sugar-free products, often hidden under different names like wood sugar, birch sugar, or birch bark extract. While most pet owners are aware of the dangers posed by chocolate or certain plants, many are unaware that Xylitol is present in products such as sugarless gum, baked goods, peanut butter, drink powders, candies, and even condiments like ketchup and barbecue sauce. The widespread presence of Xylitol in household products makes it an especially insidious threat.
Samantha and her spouse were devastated as Luna’s condition deteriorated. Their veterinarian delivered heartbreaking news: the only way to save Luna’s life was through an emergency liver transplant, which would cost over $20,000. Faced with an impossible financial decision, the family made the painful choice to say goodbye to their beloved Luna.
Image Credit from YouTube video
In the wake of this tragedy, Samantha has become hypervigilant, carefully reading ingredient labels and completely avoiding products that contain Xylitol. Determined to protect her remaining dog, she has taken to spreading awareness about the growing threat of Xylitol poisoning.
Over the past decade, reports of dogs poisoned by Xylitol have skyrocketed by over 3,000%. Authorities now urge pet owners to inspect their homes, check product labels, and ensure that any items containing Xylitol are kept far out of their pets’ reach. What happened to Luna could happen to any dog, and Samantha hopes her story will help prevent other families from facing such a preventable tragedy.
Image Credit from YouTube video
By sharing Luna’s story, Samantha Carress aims to bring awareness to the hidden dangers of Xylitol and protect other dogs from this lethal household hazard.
