Grape and raisin toxicity in the dog.
One of the veterinary poison control centers has said that in their experience as few as seven grapes or raisins have been know to be toxic so this is something all dog owners should be aware of.
I often wonder how I managed years ago with such a limited knowledge of poisons as we had then, as time goes by I am finding that more and more common household items can be poisonous to dogs and cats, the one I am covering today is grapes and raisins. This tends to be a variable poison and one of the veterinary poison control centers has said that in their experience as few as seven grapes or raisins have been know to be toxic so this is something all dog owners should be aware of.
If your pet eats a significant amount of raisins or grapes then the first thing you will see is vomiting and diarrhoea, over the next few days they will become more lethargic and anorexic and may show abdominal pain. However the major concern is that they can then progress to kidney failure and fatalities have occurred.
If you think your dog has swallowed any more than just a few raisins or grapes within the last two hours you should make it sick at once, here is link on how to do this : LINK
If you are sure your dog has vomited up all the grapes or raisins then that will be the end of the matter. If you are in any doubt contact an emergency vet without delay. The vet may give your dog activated charcoal orally to mop up any toxins in the intestinal tract and then will treat any further symptoms as they arise. Where kidney failure may be suspected it would be important to get the dog on an IV drip line.
Here is a link so you can read more on this subject : LINK
Scott Nimmo BVMS
You learn something new every day!!! Thank you for this - will add it to my list of toxins to teach the vet nurses we train.
Fi
Comment by Fi from "Four Paws and Whiskers" | January 26, 2009
Hello Fi,
Thanks for dropping by …
I am at present advising dog and cat owners at http://www.justanswers.com , a great many of the questions concern poisons and toxins and of course I check the information thoroughly before I give any advice whatsoever. This is actually making me a much more informed vet but it also opened my eyes up to common household toxins.
Who would have thought that grapes, some sorts of nuts and confectionery containing chocolate could be very dangerous for dogs, but they are. I wonder how much of this has been missed by vets in the UK in the past?
Another problem area is over the counter drugs such as aspirin in cats that is another can of worms.
Regards,
Scott
Comment by Scott | January 27, 2009