[Tom D]

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 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 Ã,½ times maintenance and watch the kidney values
for thenext 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


Learn something new every day
td

 

[2tall]

Very frightening. Would the outcome have been any different if the dog had been rushed to the clinic immediately when owners noticed the raided raisin box? Is there any first aid that could be administered? I ask, because I know dogs like grapes and raisins, my old lab would beg for them and not knowing they were dangerous I used to let him have one now and then. Obviously not with my current dog, but he does love fruits, so I have to keep them well out of reach. Just wondering about accidents and emergency procedures.

 

[wsumner]

Before I heard of this problem with dogs and grapes I use to share grapes with my 3 dogs often. As a matter of fact I use to buy them for a treat. My dogs did not show any reaction to them.

Is the reaction limited to only some dogs and if a dog has eating grapes and does not have any reactions does that mean it is safe for them to consume grapes in the future?

 

[ErinsEdge]

"no one has reported poisoning from their pets ingesting the occasional single grape or raisin. The cases we have received involved ingestion of 2 ounces to 4.4 ounces." (or more)

 

[dogcommand]

WOW, Thanks for posting that, Tom. Good to know!

 

[Guest]

raisins

My older male lab ate a few couple raisins and a few minutes later suffered a seizure he came out of it but it was a bad one.
Cindy

 

[dogcommand]

Can any one tell me what it is in raisins that is so toxic??? Just curious.

 

[Terry Britton]

Before I heard of this problem with dogs and grapes I use to share grapes with my 3 dogs often. As a matter of fact I use to buy them for a treat. My dogs did not show any reaction to them.

Is the reaction limited to only some dogs and if a dog has eating grapes and does not have any reactions does that mean it is safe for them to consume grapes in the future?

Before we learned of this, my wife would attempt to share grapes and raisons. Our dog would always spit them out!!! There is probably something in the taste for most dogs that will cause them to reject them due to the toxins. Of course, the sweetness will over rule that reaction for some dogs.

I would say it is not safe for them to consume grapes or raisons. Their body chemistry makes them toxic compared to our body chemistry.

 

[D Osborn]

I am not going to spell this correctly-
Arsenic-is in raisins-can't remember why, but it can also cause headaches/migraines in people,.
Demi

 

[spaightlabs]

I've never had a lab that didn't love grapes - and I've always shared with them - not to the point of giving several ounces, but I've certainly given 5 - 10 grapes before. guess I've gotten lucky and will need to stop - my dogs are gonna be very upset!

 

[thunderdan]

How terrible. Thanks for posting it Tom....

 

[Losthwy]

Can any one tell me what it is in raisins that is so toxic??? Just curious.

It is an unknown toxin in grapes and raisins, which damages the kidneys.

 

[2tall]

Never got an answer to my question, thought Id try once more. What first aid is useful if raisins are ingested? Should vomiting be induced or is there anything you should or should not do other than going straight to the emergency clinic if you find your dog has gotten into them somehow?

 

[Tom D]

2tall I would suggest you call your local veterinary office for this information.
This information was past along to me so I could post it as FYI.

Td

 

[Losthwy]

Never got an answer to my question, thought Id try once more. What first aid is useful if raisins are ingested? Should vomiting be induced or is there anything you should or should not do other than going straight to the emergency clinic if you find your dog has gotten into them somehow?

Induce vomiting and seek vet care.

 

[JoAnn Stancer]

That is a sad storie. I knew grapes and raisins were toxic but never seen it in practice or do I want to now. Onions are also toxic for those of you who didn't know. The dog can not digest the onions and the substance in onions attach themselfs to the RBC in the dog and cause anemia and can cause death.

fyi

*
Toxicologists have not yet identified the toxic component or the mechanism by which grapes and rasins act upon the kidneys. It is well-documented that kidney failure can occur rapidly after ingestion of these foods. Researchers initially thought that perhaps pesticide residue was to blame. However, there have been cases of acute renal failure in dogs that have ingested homegrown grapes to which no chemicals had been applied.
*
There have been 10 confirmed cases officially reported to the aspca. The amount of grapes or raisins injested has been between 9 oz and 2 lbs. Dogs injesting these large amounts developed kidney failure.
*
vomiting, lavage, activated charcoal should be given if injested. IV fluids should also be done for a minimum of 48 hrs.