Raisins Toxic to Dogs?

[wood]

Someone just sent me this in an email, I had never heard such.  Vet, have you ever encountered this?

Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
DanvilleVeterinary Clinic
Danville, Ohio

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 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
ControlCenterand 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 fluidsnd 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
DanvilleVeterinary Clinic
Danville, Ohio
  Even if you don't have a dog, you might have friends who do. This is worth passing on to them.

[~flower~]

There has been cases of dogs suffering renal problems from eating grapes or raisins, usually in large amounts.  But every animal is different, so what is a large amount to one, might not be to another.  The above example I would consider a large amount.  Giving a raisin or a grape shouldn't be anything to worry about.

  I would avoid giving them grapes or raisins just to be safe, there are much better treat options out there, but if they ever happen to ingest a few I wouldn't panic, just be aware of any signs that they are ill.  Of course if they eat a whole bag you might want to call your vet just to be safe. 

  Ferrets this also has happened, I used to give my ferrets raisins or grapes as a treat and never had any problems.  They would only get a 1/2 a grape or a raisin at time. 

[~flower~]

Also avoid nuts, especially macadamia nuts which are toxic but have never been reported as being fatal.  I have first hand experience with them.   

[Vet]

I've treated grape/raisin toxicity in dogs and raisin toxicity in Ferrets. 

Here is an exerpt from the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium in 2006 by
Jessica Davis, RVT, VTS (ECC)

Grapes/Raisins

Once considered a low fat, healthy treat, grapes and raisins are now known to cause acute renal failure in dogs. The toxic principle of raisins and grapes is unknown, and the amount required varies from animal to animal; some appear to be more sensitive than others. The lowest concentration reported to be toxic is 0.32-0.65 g/kg. Both red and white grapes may have toxic properties.

Symptoms include vomiting (usually occurring within the first two hours), diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, and polydypsia, progressing to renal failure in 24 hours to several days. Signs are consistent with acute renal failure: vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration; histopathology may reveal tubular degeneration and necrosis, occasionally with renal mineralization. Serum chemistry results are consistent with acute renal failure; hypercalcemia is also a frequent finding.

Treatment consists of decontamination with emesis, activated charcoal, and supportive care. Early diuresis may prevent renal failure. Renal chemistry values should be monitored for 72 hours. Furosemide, dopamine, and mannitol can be of use in anuric renal failure; hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis can also be of benefit, where available. The renal basement membrane remains intact in many cases, and renal damage can be reversed given enough time and supportive treatment.

[~flower~]

I've treated grape/raisin toxicity in dogs and raisin toxicity in Ferrets. 

Here is an exerpt from the International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium in 2006 by
Jessica Davis, RVT, VTS (ECC)

 Do you remember about how much eat case had eaten?   For ferrets raisins and grapes used to be recommend treats. And I had my first ferrets 22 years ago and never heard of problems till a few years ago.    Of course they would get one raisin or a 1/2 a grape once in awhile, not often and not in large amounts.