Raisin and Grape Toxicity in Dogs
By Lauren
Shifflett
LShifflett70@yahoo.com
Hyattsville, MD
Although many dog owners and
dog trainers have traditionally used raisins and grapes as treats, RAISINS AND
GRAPES IN LARGE QUANTITIES CAN BE LETHAL TO DOGS. As few as a handful of
raisins or grapes can make a dog ill; however, of the 10 cases reported to the
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9 ounces
and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins.
If your dog has ingested large quantities of raisins or
grapes, (s)he will immediately begin to vomit repeatedly, and will become
extremely hyperactive and jittery. After about 24 hours, the dog will become
lethargic and depressed. (S)he may experience abdominal pain and may stop
urinating, drinking, and/or eating. (S)he will also become dehydrated. Both
his/her vomit and feces will contain partially digested raisins or grapes.
His/her breathing may become irregular, and (s)he will also become hypercalcemic
(high calcium concentrations) and hyperphosphosphatemic
Ultimately, without treatment, the dog will go into
renal (kidney) failure, and may die a horrible very painful death. Of the 10
reported cases, only 5 dogs survived, & these only with early, aggressive, &
long-term treatment
The best cure for an
overdose, of course, is prevention. Because dogs can get hold of raisins or
grapes from a variety of sources—the kitchen counter, the coffee table, vines in
a private vineyard, a child’s lunch box—DOG PROOF YOUR VINEYARDS & REMOVE
RAISINS AND GRAPES FROM CANINE REACH. Do not feed your dog raisins/grapes as
treats so that you can avoid him/her “getting a taste for them”. Remember that
raisins are even more concentrated (and hence more toxic) than
grapes—approximately 4 pounds of grapes equal 1 pound of raisins. The APCC also
warns that any substance in large doses can be toxic.
However, if you suspect your
dog has eaten a large amount of raisins or grapes, take your dog to a
veterinarian immediately, and have them contact the Animal Poison Control Center
for assistance. Have your veterinarian initiate decontamination measures, and
administer fluids and/or dialysis to assist/restart the dog’s kidneys. Be
aware that initially your veterinarian may suspect rat poison as the above
symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of rat poison.
The APCC is still unable to
determine the cause of renal (kidney) failure. Possibilities include 1) an
agent in grapes and raisins themselves; 2) fungicides, herbicides, or pesticides
contamination; 3) heavy metals; 4) high amounts of Vitamin D; or 5) fungus or
mold contamination.
Information on raisin and
grape toxicity is still very new; therefore, your veterinarian and fellow dog
owners may not yet be aware of the danger. Please pass on this information to
every dog owner, veterinarian, rescue group, breeder, newsletter, listserve, and
pet food store you can.
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For more information about
grapes and raisin toxicity and/or all substances toxic to dogs and other
animals, please see the ASCPA Animal Poison Control Center |
If you suspect your dog has
ingested any poisonous substance, please CALL the APCC at
888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) immediately.
Also please read “Renal
failure associated with ingestion of grapes or raisins in dogs.” The Journal of
the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). May 15, 2001. Volume 218.
Number 10. Pages 1555-1556.
