Vet School 101 Beware the wrath of grapes (on grape and raisin toxicity in dogs)

Today, Easter Sunday, you might be feeding your pets lots of fun stuff from the dinner table. If your pets are lucky, it’ll be the remnants of local lamb with organic veggies, hot-cross buns and a lemon tart (that’s my personal wish list, anyway). But keep your dogs away from the hot-cross buns with raisins, OK?

I bring up this issue on this holiday because last week’s Passover didn’t go over so well for one of our hospital’s patients. The small dog received about half a human serving of raisins while the family gathered––which is why the feast was moved to the ER, where vomiting was induced, activated charcoal was administered, and intravenous fluids were pumped into his little veins.

It’s a funny thing about raisin toxicity. As recently as ten or twelve years ago these clients could have called the ASPCA’s Poison Control Hotline and been told to look out for vomiting and diarrhea. The gastrointestinal effects related to eating a new food were considered the likeliest problem faced by canine raisin consumption. Indeed, I was taught nothing about this in vet school.

Now, however, we understand that some dogs will experience acute kidney failure when they consume raisins or grapes (raisins are apparently more poisonous because of the higher toxic concentration in this dehydrated product). As few as a scant handful have been known to kill big dogs.

I know what you’re going to say: “Before we were told raisins and grapes were toxic to dogs, all of my dogs ate grapes and raisins like Pez. It was their favorite treat. And none of them experienced so much as a night of softer stool. Why’s it become it’s so critical now?”

It’s because not all dogs will react to the toxin(s) in grapes and raisins in this deadly way. And it’s impossible to know whether your dog will or not. That’s why all animal poison controls now advocate the elimination of all grapes and raisins from our pets’ diets––in any quantity, regardless of their former exposure to them, regardless of your past experience.

After all, knowing that your other dogs did just fine eating bags of grapes and boxes of raisins is a chilly comfort should your puppy die of kidney failure. So why risk it?

The interesting thing about grapes, raisins and dogs is not only that some don’t seem to react as poorly as others, it’s also that we don’t understand the toxic principle at all. What’s the toxin? Is it certain grapes and raisins? Is it a new chemical on them? Might it be fungal in nature (grapes have lots of beneficial fungi)? Is it a genetic thing? A long-term exposure issue? Does gradual desensitization over time protect some dogs? Are cats and other pets affected in the same way?

The answers are unknown. But we do know that all kinds of grapes and raisins do it. Backyard grapes, boxed organic raisins, a glass of chardonnay, Welch’s grape juice...they’re all as likely––or not––to kill your dog.

That’s why this raisin-plied, Passover patient received three days of fluids with serial labwork (blood chemistry and urninalysis) after vomiting up a pile of raisins. Why take a chance? Even when treated, some susceptible dogs who digest even small quantities don’t make it. They vomit, their kidneys start to shut down. They stop making urine. Then they die.

Ultimately, our patient did just fine. Rapid induction of vomiting (within half an hour) probably did the trick.

So as you sit down to enjoy your holiday meal with family and friends, gently (or not so gently) remind your crowd that there will be no distribution of leftovers or party favors granted the pooches. Remember, some food and drink is best left to the humans.

April 12th, 2009

Add Comment38 Comments

I first read about raisins being potentially deadly about a year ago. After years of feeding my dogs them. I don't feed them anymore, but it does bear the question why?

I wonder also about genetic modification of said grapes/raisins....after all "we" hardly understand the long term consequences of both the genetically altered and the irradiated foods we eat, many with out even knowing the foods have been altered.

glad to hear those dogs are okay. No raisins on the menu here...we substitute dried cranberries most of the time. The dogs get carrots, lots of carrots. dachshunds have insatiable appetites, so we like to fill them with less than pound packing on calories.

Lorri April 12th, 2009 11:08:39 AM

and what is scary- raisins that are in products you wouldn't dream of- like A1 Steak Sauce---

agadoresmama April 12th, 2009 12:12:35 PM

My pup Mike will eat anything. Plastic, wood, styrofoam, bark...and apples, bananas, kiwi, etc.

We did a quick once-over of the toxic lists to find out what this eating machine should definitely avoid, especially fruits.

Oh, and yeah, we have started a jar fund for Mike's future bowel blockage surgery. Of all the dogs we've had, and there's been a lot, this is the one that will require bowel surgery because he ate something. Like the cooler.

PaulaO April 12th, 2009 12:23:24 PM

Is it the grape skin, seed, or innards? I noticed a few years ago that the canine joint supplement our practice sells contains grape seed extract, and I was told it was the skin of the grape that was especially toxic. Is there a difference between red and white grapes?

beth April 12th, 2009 03:47:10 PM

Pass this on to pet food companies. Who seem hell bent to put just about anything humans eat into their forumulas.

Evet April 12th, 2009 05:45:00 PM

I researched the grape seed extract issue--and came up with nothing (so far). Considering it's been used in canine supplements for a relatively long period of time, I imagine it's not the source of the toxin. I'll keep checking.

Dr. Patty Khuly April 12th, 2009 06:04:21 PM

I had a case of raisin toxicosis on my ECC rotation. Owners didn't know raisins were toxic so they didn't think anything of it when the dog got into a 12oz box of raisins and came down with what they assumed to be garbage gut. After 5ish days of fluid diuresis by the referring, the dog was continuing to get sick. Came to us with a BUN of 237 and creatinine of 16. Ick. 72 hours of intense peritoneal dialysis, a few more days of diuresis and some time for the kidneys to recover and the dog's kidney function appears back to normal. Whoo hoo! But what an expensive box of raisins! The owners are now on a mission to tell anyone and everyone about grape/raisin toxicity.

Kelly April 12th, 2009 06:10:28 PM

I know of one anecdote about cats getting into WINE. My dear mother-in-law had two Siamese at the time. She had poured herself a glass of merlot and set it down. Not only did part of it seem to go missing, but later she caught one of her cats drinking it. The cat survived that particular episode and I think she was more careful about leaving wine within reach of the cats after that.

Miss K. seems to have no interest in people's drinks other than sniffing them delicately but never sampling. She has four water bowls in different rooms. I don't think raisins would be viewed as edible, but as something to be tapped around like a toy. Others' mileage may vary as their cats may be both interested in human's food, and less picky eaters.

I don't think I ever tried giving a dog a raision or a grape. With the price of grapes, I think they are meant to be reserved for the humans or parrots. They are all right for parrots, aren't they?

Miss Kitty's Mom April 12th, 2009 09:04:34 PM

this isnt really a comment but more of a question. i have heard that chocolate can damage or maybe even kill a dog. is this true? and if it is, do you know wich dog breed this includes? i was also wondering if this affected cats? no one has told me of any cat getting sick or dying of eating chocolate, nor have i heard of cats even eating chocoalte. its just that i have a cat that eaats tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, apples, and more! he is a very curious cat and is very nosy! if any one could answer my question i will be on later -not quite so soon- to look at your answers. thanx, Ashley

ashley April 12th, 2009 09:56:33 PM

Ashley, chocolate is a definite nono for both cats and dogs. Dogs (and cats) have even gotten sick and died from ingesting cocoa shell mulch! Check the ASPCA's toxic foods page. Onions are also a nono for cats, not sure about dogs. Chocolate is made from the fruit (beans) of the cacao tree. Theobromine, a component of chocolate, is the toxic compound in chocolate. (Caffeine is also present in chocolate, but in much smaller amounts than Theobromine.) Both Theobromine and Caffeine are members of a drug class called Methylxanines.

Donna April 12th, 2009 11:33:06 PM

Ashley- although cats may be less adventurous in the sampling department, I would still be cautious. While housesitting for my parents a number of years ago, I busted one of my parents' cats snarfing down a glass of hot chocolate. I was careful about keeping it out of the dog's reach, but it had never occurred to me that the cats might take an interest. She'd already finished most of it. Luckily, there were no adverse effects. (Fortunately, it was the cheap-o powdered stuff, and the amount of actual chocolate in it was probably pretty minimal.)

Ramen Connoisseur April 13th, 2009 02:30:24 AM

We actually did a recent analysis of all plant poisoning claims received last year (about 400, excluding claims for chocolate ingestion) and found that grape/raisin toxicity was the overwhelming No. 1 plant poisoning claim received: http://press.petinsurance.com/pressroom/268.aspx. It may be interesting to dig further into the data and see if any one breed was more often treated than others...

Grant April 13th, 2009 12:00:12 PM

ah, but most "chocolate" is really just "chocolate flavor" and nontoxic.. hence the "chocolate" Nylabones.

I understand it's best not to let your dog eat anything "chocolate" but a couple of Oreo cookies (chocolate flavor) is a completely different kettle of fish from some 70% cacao gourmet chocolate bar.

EmilyS April 14th, 2009 12:22:48 AM

Grapes have unfortunately created some problems for my 12 year old Corgi mix. She loves grapes and we used to love to toss them, cacth them and much them down. About 3 years ago she started having seizures and the doctor thought it could be from years of grapes...she is now on anti-seizure meds 2 times per day which have to be administered like clock work. We have tried to slowly ween her off the meds but she slowly started having seizures again which last up to 1 minute and always creates the loss of her back legs and her balance for up to 5 minutes. It is very sad and scary to see, plus a very helpless feeling. I am happy to say, she is back on the meds and doint great! So, do yourself and your little baby a favor, stick to the dog food and treats from the doc!

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