Raisins And Grapes Cause Toxicity In Dogs
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 7:30AM & 4:30PM on
Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea & shaking about 1AM on
Wednesday but the owner didn’t call my emergency service until 7AM.
I had heard about raisins & 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 & the
doctor there was like me - had heard something about it, but…. Anyway,
we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center & they
said to give IV fluids at 1 1/2 times maintenance & 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) & 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 & started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM & the
BUN was over 40 & creatinine over 7 with no urine production after a
liter of fluids. At the point I felt the dog was in acute renal
failure & 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 & 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 & 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 & his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150,
skyrocketed to 220.. He continued to vomit & 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.
Even if you don’t have a dog, you might have friends who do. This is
worth passing on to them.
Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio
