FW: Important for Dog Owners

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Here is the report from snopes.com:
http://www.snopes. com/critters/ crusader/ raisins.asp

(Below written by a vet)

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
Control Center and 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 fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the BUN was over
40 a nd 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 increase 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 fe w as 7 raisins or grapes could be
toxic. Many people I know give their dogs grapes or
raisins as treats including our ex-handlers. Any exposure should give rise
to immediate concern.

Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio

 

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