Food is a commonly-used motivator.  Pet owners naturally enjoy giving treats to their dogs.  We reward them for a good deed, for being cute, or for fighting the temptation to jump up on our houseguest.  We have a tendency to reward them when we reward ourselves.  With society’s current focus on healthy eating, grapes and raisins are a common snack to enjoy.  And why not? They are sweet, tasty, and are a guilt-free treat.  We seem to have the mindset that if a food is healthy for us that it won’t harm our pet but we couldn’t be more wrong.

Originally thought to be an urban legend, it is now known that raisins and grapes are indeed toxic to dogs.  In fact, since the early 2000s there have been documented cases proving that some dogs have toxic reactions to these fruits.  The type of grape and the type of dog doesn't seem to matter, and the toxic amount may be a small serving to several ounces.  Some dogs naturally love eating raisins and grapes and will seek them out; from the pantry or growing in a vineyard. Pet owners have used raisins as a training treat, and some have mistakenly used them as a "healthy" snack alternative for their dogs.  

Exactly what causes this toxicity is not completely understood, but it is the subject of ongoing studies.  At this time, ALL cases of grape and raisin ingestion in dogs need to be taken seriously.  For dogs suffering from a toxic reaction, the first visible sign is usually vomiting.  Vomiting can begin a few hours after ingestion and partially digested grapes or raisins may be visible in the expelled matter.  Other signs of toxicity are diarrhea and excessive drinking of water.  These two signs can also signify the beginning stages of acute renal failure.  After 24 hours or so, the dog may be come anorexic and/or lethargic. Additionally the abdomen may be painful and the dog will cease urinating. Ultimately, the kidneys fail, and without aggressive treatment, the outcome is often times fatal.

Early treatment is the best treatment.  If the raisin or grape ingestion was 2 hours or less, the veterinarian will want to induce vomiting to rid the body of the toxin and then administer activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins. Aggressive intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is required to keep the kidneys in good health. Additional kidney medications may be indicated, depending on the patient.  In essence, early treatment is critical because death from renal failure can occur without intervention.

Be selective when giving treats to your canine companion.  Lambriar Vet Supply offers many delectable treats that are designed  explicitly for your dog including Pegetables, Liver Nuggets, Liver Snackers, and Sniffers.  So remember, only give your pets treats that are formulated specifically for them and save the real food for yourself.