Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Urban legends have it that raisins and grapes can kill dogs after ingestion. It all started from a chain letter of a pet owner whose dog died of grape poisoning. Many people dismissed the letter thinking it sounded too strange and was just another email scam.
Dog owners should be aware of the food fed to their dogs. You may not know it but you may be poisoning your pet. Grapes and raisins are indeed toxic to dogs including English bulldogs. The type of grape and the type of dog does not matter. It is a proven fact that as few as 7 raisins or grapes could put your bulldog to death. The ASPCA has released information on 10 cases of grape poisoning in dogs. Five of the dogs had severe reactions that they died or were euthanized.
Toxicity
A computerized animal toxicity database enabled vets to see a trend in 1989. The trend showed that some cases of acute renal failure or sudden kidney failure in dogs all share a common history: the consumption of raisins or grapes before kidney failure. Numerous possibilities are explored by researchers to pinpoint the exact causative agent of grapes and raisin poisoning. It can be because of the presence of mycotoxin (fungal toxin), pesticide, herbicide or heavy metals, but remain unknown up to this time.
Symptoms of grape and raisin poisoning in dogs
Once your bulldog ingested raisins or grapes, you will notice a jittery (hyperactive) behavior and vomiting within the first 24 hours. Diarrhea may also be seen with vomitus and feces showing partially digested grapes or raisins. When 24 hours has passed, the dog may become anorexic, lethargic and depressed. Soon, the dog stops drinking or urinating. By the time the kidneys fail, it will be too late to treatment and soon the dog will die.
Treatment for grape/raisin poisoning
Early intervention for raisin and grape poisoning has higher chances of saving dogs from poisoning. If raisin or grape ingestion was 2 hours or less, the veterinarian will want to induce vomiting to remove the toxins in the body. Activated charcoal will be administered to absorb remaining toxin. Aggressive intravenous or IV fluid therapy is needed to keep the kidneys in good health. Additional medications for kidneys may be given depending on the severity of the dog’s condition.
3 Responses
2009 Aug 03
scam or not I have read it enough to never experiment giving my dog raisins or grapes.
2009 Aug 04
I have read this too from several sources! It is on the list of poisonous household stuff in the “Bulldogs for Dummies” book. Along with chocolate, caffeine, Macadamia nuts, mushrooms, onions and garlic.
2009 Aug 06
Grapes, raisins, and some types of CURRANTS are definitely poisonous in certain amounts, so please heed caution! When in doubt, you can always call an animal poison control to double check if it’s poisonous. Pet Poison Helpline is an Animal Poison Control Center, and it’s one of the most cost-effective animal poison ($35/case vs. ASPCA’s new $60/case) controls out there nowadays.
Unfortunately, because animal poison controls are not federal- or state-funded, there is a fee to allow the service to be run 24-7. We provide a similar service, but have the added benefit of veterinary specialists (in internal medicine and emergency and critical care) as part of our staff.
Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC
Associate Director of Veterinary Services