-
-
RAISIN
THE ALARM
-
-
Raisins and
Grapes can be toxic for dogs -- even a small
quantity of seven can be harmful! Please
read below and pass on to others with dogs.
With permission to cross post and publish:
-
-
- This week I had
the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever
seen at
MedVet. My patient was a 56 pound, 5 yr
old male neutered lab mix who ate half a canister
of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on
Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea and
shaking about 1:00 AM on Wednesday but the owner
didn't call my emergency service until 7:00 AM.
had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes
causing acute renal failure but hadn't seen any
formal paper on the subject. We had her
bring the dog in immediately.
-
- In the meantime, I
called the
ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was
like me --- had heard something about it, but....
Anyway, we contacted the
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center
and they said to give IV fluids at 1 1/2 times
maintenance and watch the kidney values for the
next 48-72 hours.
-
- The dog's BUN
(blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32
(normal less than 27) and creatinine over 5 (1.9
is the high end of normal). Both are monitors of
kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an I
V catheter and started the fluids.
-
- Rechecked the
renal values at 5:00 PM and the BUN was over 40
and creatinine over 7 with no urine production
after a liter of fluids. At the point I felt the
dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to
MedVet for a urinary catheter to monitor urine
output overnight as well as overnight care. He
started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his
renal values have continued to increase daily. He
produced urine when given Lasix as a diuretic. He
was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and
they still couldn't control his vomiting.
-
- Today his urine
output decreased again, his BUN was over 120, his
creatinine was at 10, his phosphorus was very
elevated and his blood pressure, which had been
staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220. He
continued to vomit and the owners elected to
euthanize.
-
- This is a very sad
case -- great dog, great owners who had no idea
raisins could be a toxin. Please alert everyone
you know who has a dog of this very serious risk.
-
-
Poison
control said as few as 7 raisins could be toxic.
Many people I know give their dogs grapes or
raisins as treats. Any exposure should give
rise to immediate concern. Onions,
chocolate, cocoa and macadamia nuts can be fatal,
too.
-
- Laurinda Morris,
DVM
- Danville
Veterinary Clinic
- Danville, Ohio
-
-
- Confirmation from
Snopes.com about the above:
