Renal Failure Associated With Ingestion of Grapes or Raisins in Dogs
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. There is no way to know if your dog will develop kidney failure from this type of human food. Any ingestion must be treated as serious and possibly life threatening. Emesis (induced vomiting) is the recommended first response. Dogs may show symptoms of toxicity in six to 12 hours after eating grapes or raisins.
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Toxic amount
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The Merck veterinary manual suggests that the ingestion of 1.129 oz. of grapes or 1.058 oz. of raisins may lead to renal injury in dogs. There are 16 oz. in a pound, so this is a very small amount. Dogs who are susceptible to this may develop renal failure within 72 hours. There is no identified component in grapes and raisins that causes this severe reaction in some dogs while not in others. Any exposure should be treated as possibly toxic for this reason.
Symptoms
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Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms. Other signs of toxicity include lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of coordination and weakness. Some dogs show signs of renal problems with an inability to urinate. This produces a high blood urea nitrogen content. If the dog shows decreased urine output and lethargy, the outcome of treatment is generally less successful. Some dogs will exhibit tremors or abdominal pain.
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First aid
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The most helpful intervention for a dog having eaten grapes or raisins is emesis or induced vomiting. This is urgent and helpful as dogs digest grapes and raisins slowly, taking up to 24 hours. The usual home remedy is to use a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution. Mix 1 tsp. of the hydrogen peroxide with 1 tsp. of milk and administer orally. If no milk is available, use 1 cup of warm water. Administer this dose up to three times until vomiting occurs.
Treatment
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Following the decontamination of the gut by vomiting, dogs may respond well to activated charcoal. This aids in absorption and elimination of remaining toxic matter. Most veterinarians will follow up with monitoring for urine output and dehydration. Some dogs may require IV fluids for as long as 48 hours. Successful treatment outcomes are associated with prompt attention to induced vomiting within hours of the incident of ingestion.
Prevention/Solution
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Prevention is the best solution in this case. Pet owners often "save a bite" for their dog. This is a risk when giving human foods to dogs and other pets. A single slice of raisin bread can be fatal to your dog. If your pet is able to take things off a counter or table, it is wise to remove temptation.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dogs portrait image by Tomo Jesenicnik from Fotolia.com
