A dog ingests xylitol. What is the primary pathophysiology and an initial treatment step?

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Multiple Choice

A dog ingests xylitol. What is the primary pathophysiology and an initial treatment step?

Xylitol ingestion in dogs triggers a rapid release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells, leading to sudden, dangerous hypoglycemia. That drop in blood glucose is the immediate threat, so the quickest and most reliable initial treatment is intravenous dextrose to raise and stabilize blood sugar promptly. Once glucose is restored, you’d continue to monitor and manage for potential delayed hepatic injury, which can occur with larger ingestions, but it isn’t the immediate cause or the first-line treatment. The other options don’t fit because they describe a different mechanism (direct pancreatic destruction) or an inappropriate first step (glucagon) or a non-primary issue (electrolyte imbalance).

Xylitol ingestion in dogs triggers a rapid release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells, leading to sudden, dangerous hypoglycemia. That drop in blood glucose is the immediate threat, so the quickest and most reliable initial treatment is intravenous dextrose to raise and stabilize blood sugar promptly. Once glucose is restored, you’d continue to monitor and manage for potential delayed hepatic injury, which can occur with larger ingestions, but it isn’t the immediate cause or the first-line treatment. The other options don’t fit because they describe a different mechanism (direct pancreatic destruction) or an inappropriate first step (glucagon) or a non-primary issue (electrolyte imbalance).

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