Raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs

[okarol]

Even if you don't have a dog, you might have friends who do. This is worth passing on to them. I looked on Snopes and found it's true http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp

(Below written by a vet)

        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 ½ 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 that 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, and his phosphorus was very elevated. His blood pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220.. He continued to vomit and the owners elected to euthanize him.

        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

[goofynina]

*shakes fists*  damn them raisins, who would think raisins could kill a dog but they can eat a freaken shit load of cat poop and live to bark about it?  I just find that strange! 

[Sara]

Good article!  Onions and the green parts of potatoes and tomatoes are also bad for them. 

[Chicken Little]

I read this a couple years ago.  I'd fed my dogs tons and tons of grapes before that with no problems, but don't do it anymore.  I had one dog that was a bloodhound when it came to chocolate and she never got sick from that either.   

[Sluff]

Appreaciate knowing this. My dog won't eat a raisin anyway he must be smarter than me. Ha!

[charee]

My dog loves grapes too , shes fine but i wil stop giving them to her now just in case .Thanks

[Falkenbach]

It's true, grapes, raisins, onions and chocolate are all toxic to dogs.

I know of plenty of dogs who have eaten these foods without ill effect, but it's not worth the risk.

Ask any vet - about chocolate in particular - and they will tell you that the Easter break is their busiest time every year, with countless dogs finding and stealing large amounts of chocolate and becoming very ill.

[Yonanamama]

*shakes fists*  damn them raisins, who would think raisins could kill a dog but they can eat a freaken shit load of cat poop and live to bark about it?  I just find that strange! 

So what else do I need to know about?  My Jack Russel loves EVERYTHING.  No, I really mean EVERYTHING.  There is nothing she won't eat.  Even her own...well, never mind!  LOL 
Carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, celery, pickles, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, corn, beans.   Her favorite food is artichokes.  She knows how to eat them with her front teeth.  Funnier than hell to watch!  Should I worry?

[Rerun]

My dogs love those mini carrots.  They grab them and run to their den like it was a fresh steak bone.  The vet said carrots are fine.  I'll cut out the grapes.

The vet told me to put Tabasco sauce on their poop and that will deter them from eating it.  I bought the Tabasco sauce but haven't had the heart to do it yet. I hope they will just listen to me when I tell them not to eat that because it is bad for them and it is stinky-bad.

[Yonanamama]

My dogs love those mini carrots.  They grab them and run to their den like it was a fresh steak bone.  The vet said carrots are fine.  I'll cut out the grapes.

The vet told me to put Tabasco sauce on their poop and that will deter them from eating it.  I bought the Tabasco sauce but haven't had the heart to do it yet. I hope they will just listen to me when I tell them not to eat that because it is bad for them and it is stinky-bad.

Rerun:
You can also spray Bitter Apple on their poop.  You can find it at any pet store and it works.    But, it's not poop I was referring to.  It's vomit!  Isn't that disgusting?  Enjoy your lunch!!

[Falkenbach]

The only things I'm aware of that need to be avoided are grapes/raisins, onions and chocolate. I have heard some people say to avoid tuna and either egg whites or yolks (can't remember which) - however, I'm not convinced on the egg thing, and I have always used raw eggs in my dogs' diet. They don't get them a lot, but they do get them.