Raisins and Grapes can be
TOXIC
to your Pet
Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio
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 that 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 1AM on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency
service until 7AM.
I 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 �� 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 IV catheter and started the
fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 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 incr ease 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 or grapes could be toxic. Many
people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our
ex-handler's.
*** Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern ***
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio
Even if you don't have a dog, you might have friends
who do. This is worth passing on to them.
Schraderhaus K9
