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Trevor Donovan is detailing the scary experience that almost caused his dog Roscoe to die.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Sept. 4, the 90210 alum, 41, revealed how his beloved canine got into a sealed pack of gum and was close to losing his life because of it.
“Recently, Roscoe had a terrifying encounter with something I never expected,” wrote Donovan. “As many of you know, Roscoe spent the first eight months of his life living in a car, so he’s very comfortable in vehicles.”
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“I always make the truck homey for him when I hit the gym, and I can always keep an eye on him from the outdoor area where I work out—he’s never out of sight and earshot,” he explained.
The Dancing with the Stars alum said he went to the gym one day, returned to his truck and saw Roscoe had gotten into a sealed pack of gum. However, Roscoe “seemed fined” and Donovan “didn’t think much of it” until Roscoe started seizing.
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“I knew the dangers of xylitol but didn’t connect it to gum. My heart dropped,” said Donovan.
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According to the Food and Drug Administration, seizures are one of the symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs, along with vomiting, weakness, staggering, and incoordination.
Donovan said after he rushed to find a vet, doctors “immediately induced vomiting and gave [Roscoe] medication.”
“Roscoe didn’t understand what was happening, but he was such a trooper through it all. I was more scared than he was, and the vet prepared me for the worst,” recalled Donovan, noting that he was told, “If his liver numbers didn’t improve, it could be fatal.”
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“Those next few days were some of the longest and hardest of my life,” he continued. “I couldn’t sleep, and my face was sore from crying. The guilt and fear were overwhelming. I couldn’t shake the thought that my careless mistake might cost Roscoe his life.”
After three days of what Donovan described as “arduous waiting,” he got a call from the doctor who said Roscoe “had made it past the critical point” and “was going to be okay.”
“Looking back, I realize just how close I came to losing him. If another 20 minutes had passed, he wouldn’t be here with me today,” said Donovan, adding that he waited “until Roscoe’s liver numbers were completely back to normal and he had fully recovered from the ordeal before sharing what happened.”
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The dog dad ended his post by sharing that the experience reminded him to “be more careful in the future” and asked his fellow pet parents to “learn from my mistake.”
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“I hope this story can raise awareness and prevent other dogs from going through the same ordeal. Thanks for reading,” he wrote. “Hug your furry friends a little tighter today and please spread the word. Our pets depend on us to keep them safe.”
Donovan stars in Reagan, which is now in theaters.
