When Scooter arrived at Animal Emergency Service Jindalee, her owners had a very unusual concern.
1.1 kg of jelly snakes had mysteriously disappeared from their packaging.
Scooter, a three-year-old Beagle, quickly became the prime suspect. When the team checked her weight, she was approximately 1.1 kg heavier than usual, making the case against her particularly strong.
To complicate matters, Scooter’s sister Jada had also been near the missing lollies, leaving some uncertainty about exactly who had eaten what.
Why is eating lollies an emergency?
While the amount of lollies eaten was certainly concerning, our veterinary team’s primary concern was what ingredients might have been in them.
Some sweets and sugar-free products contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can be extremely toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can lead to serious health complications, including dangerously low blood sugar, seizures and liver damage.
Fortunately, the jelly snakes involved in Scooter’s case were The Natural Confectionery Company Snakes, which don’t contain xylitol.
However, consuming such a large amount of sugary confectionery can still cause significant gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort. For that reason, prompt veterinary attention was still important.
Which dog ate the jelly snakes?
Following a clinical examination by Dr Cordelia Edwards, Scooter and Jada were both treated with medication to safely make them vomit.
The evidence soon became clear.
We discovered Scooter had consumed almost the entire 1.1 kg bag of Jelly Snakes, while poor Jada had eaten just a single jelly snake.
Needless to say, Scooter had a lot more to contribute to the investigation.
A happy ending for Scooter and Jada
Thankfully, after treatment and observation, both dogs recovered well and could return home.
We’re pleased to report that Scooter and Jada continue to do well.
While our team sees pets get into many things they shouldn’t, a dog eating almost an entire 1.1 kg bag of jelly snakes is certainly one for the record books.
What should you do if your dog eats lollies or something potentially toxic?
If your pet consumes a large amount of food, confectionery, medication, or another toxic food that may be harmful, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
Not all products contain the same ingredients, and what may seem harmless can sometimes pose a significant risk to pets.
If possible, keep any packaging and let your veterinarian know:
- What was eaten
- Approximately how much was eaten
- When it was eaten
- Your pet’s weight and any symptoms you’ve noticed
Would Scooter eat jelly snakes again?
Would Scooter do it again?
Based on the evidence available to us (her face in the photo), we’d say the answer is a definite yes.
And no, 1.1 kg of Jelly Snakes is not something we see every day.
If you suspect your pet has got their paws into something they shouldn't have, call your local Animal Emergency Service location for advice.
