A three-year-old beagle named Scooter was taken to the Animal Emergency Service Jindalee in Australia after consuming 2.4 pounds of gummy worms. Scooter's owners discovered their candy stash had been raided, and while her sister, Jada, was also brought in, Scooter's heavier weight indicated she was the primary culprit.
Veterinary staff administered medication to induce vomiting in both dogs, a common precaution for the breed known for overeating. Scooter subsequently regurgitated almost the entire amount of ingested gummy worms.
While the specific brand of gummy worms consumed did not contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be highly toxic to dogs, veterinary nurse manager Kate Wesche noted the risks associated with such ingredients. Xylitol can cause seizures and liver damage in dogs. Even without xylitol, the large quantity of natural sugar consumed can lead to severe gastrointestinal upset.
The emergency service shared the incident on its Facebook page, prompting other pet owners to share similar stories of their pets ingesting large or harmful amounts of human food. Examples included dogs eating ibuprofen, Reese's candy, large bags of raisins and cashews, and even raw dinner rolls and soap.