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 กว 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 and 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 few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs
grapes or raisins as treats including our ex-handler's. Any exposure should give rise to
immediate concern.
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio
| Raisin Toxicity Written by: Laurinda Morris, DVM Danville Veterinary Clinic Danville , Ohio |
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