If you have a dog ... PLEASE read this and
Send it on. If you don't have a dog, please pass along to friends who
do.
Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville, OH
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</ B> 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 & 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 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 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 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. Onions, chocolate, cocoa and macadamia nuts can be fatal, too.
Even if you don't have a dog, you might have friends who do. This is worth
Passing on to them. Confirmation from Snopes about the above....
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