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Some Information on Raisin / Grape Toxicity in dogs |
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Click for - Update - submitted 6 May 2004 |
| The following warning was forwarded to us from a dog lover in the
USA. and concerns the possible adverse affect on dogs of ingestion of a quantity of dried
raisins.
The affected dog is not a Border Collie but we felt it prudent to pass this warning on as we are aware that many trainers in the UK do use dried fruits as rewards when training their Border Collies - and other breeds of dog. This is a fairly new situation and very little is known about the subject, cause or potential for occurrence in canines. Our enquiries within the UK have not yet revealed anyone who has any knowledge of these matters. We simply urge caution and suggest that anyone who feeds such treats should substitute another form of reward until more is known about the subject and should take the precaution of ensuring these products are not accessible to their dogs. There has been some research into the accumulative affect of some pesticides used in raisin and grape crop production, particularly anti fungicides, and the results of such research is available on the Internet. This is, however, very rare and may have no bearing on this case.
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Border Collie Rescue has been in touch with the National Animal Poison Control Centre (NAPCC) in Illinois and they have confirmed over the phone that they are looking into this situation and are taking it seriously. They have a statement on their Website - Click here for the link or read on until you come to it. The NAPCC is part of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) We have not edited or amended this warning and have the authors consent to print it as it was sent.
We adopted him through Sheltie Rescue in Columbia,
Maryland. He came to us overweight, depressed, and hyperthyroid, and we had worked very
hard to bring down his weight and to treat his condition. As he got to know us, he became
an integral part of our little family, following us wherever we went, and profusely
complaining whenever he was left behind. We were always greeted with the greatest of
fanfares every time we came home, his tail was always wagging, and he always gave lots of
kisses. He never did quite get the hang of Frisbee, but he surely tried really hard
(couldn't quite get his big butt off the ground). He was always the gentleman (even if he
did occasionally help himself to some garbage or your unattended sandwich), polite and
attentive to the last. He was friendly with everyone, human, canine, feline, or lagomorph.
He made sure to make each and every new guest welcome by bringing him or her one of his
toys. He patiently tolerated my two rabbits who never could seem to stop bugging him
whenever he tried to lay down. L S - Maryland - USA
The telephone number of this organisation (NAPCC) is (from UK) 001 888 4264435, however at this stage they would be unable to tell anyone much over the phone and may charge for the service. However, if you have any information that may be of value to them in their research - please contact them and pass it on. Remember to check the time zone difference. Border Collie Rescue would also be interested in hearing of any cases - particularly from the UK. The following link is to the NAPCC Website where they have placed a simple statement about the situation.
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The following information has been sent by the author of the article. Citation from - The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (May 15, 2001. Volume 218, Number 10, pages 1555-1556). It's time to stop feeding grapes or raisins as treats |
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Grape and Raisin Toxicity in Dogs Lauren Shifflett was the lady who contacted us with the original alert. It was her dog this happened to and so she does have first hand experience. We have not edited this article and you may find her description of the results of the toxic effects rather disturbing. We are pleased to have been in the position to publish her first warning and spread the word. Unfortunately we are still coming across individuals and dog trainers who still use raisins as treats and rewards for their dogs. One or two that we have pointed the original article out to have commented that there was nothing proved so why change, and besides, the toxin seems to have to be present in large amount to poison the dog. To this we can only say - There needs to be more research done on this condition before we can draw any firm conclusions, however there are now a number of identified cases where a dog has died as a result of eating raisins or grapes. We do not know if this toxin is accumulative. Small amounts, in themselves not harmful, may remain and build up in the dog until a fatal level is reached. Because we do not know we should employ prudence and simply avoid feeding our dogs on Raisins or Grapes ( and cut out that odd glass of wine as well ! ). There is no doubt that the recorded incidence of death from cancer in dogs is increasing, genetic diseases are increasing, allergic reactions are increasing. Some contributory factors are obvious - bad breeding and environmental factors that cause problems in humans and other species. Perhaps we are simply getting better at identifying these problems. Perhaps we are inadvertently contributing by our habits and whims. Why risk it? If you wish to contact Lauren, she has thoughtfully provided a direct e.mail address below. Article by Lauren Shifflett - e.mail - lshifflett70@yahoo.com Although
many dog owners and dog trainers have traditionally used raisins and
grapes as treats, RAISINS AND
GRAPES IN LARGE QUANTITIES CAN BE LETHAL TO DOGS.
As few as a handful of raisins or grapes can make a dog ill;
however, of the 10 cases reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9 ounces and 2 pounds of grapes
or raisins. If
your dog has ingested large quantities of raisins or grapes, (s)he will
immediately begin to vomit repeatedly, and will become extremely
hyperactive and jittery. After
about 24 hours, the dog will become lethargic and depressed.
(S)he may experience abdominal pain and may stop urinating,
drinking, and/or eating. (S)he
will also become dehydrated. Both
his/her vomit and feces will contain partially digested raisins or grapes.
His/her breathing may become irregular, and (s)he will also become
hypercalcemic (high calcium concentrations) and hyperphosphosphatemic. Ultimately,
without treatment, the dog will go into renal (kidney) failure, and may
die a horrible very painful death. Of
the 10 reported cases, only 5 dogs survived, & these only with early,
aggressive, & long-term treatment. The best cure for an overdose, of course, is prevention. Because dogs can get hold of raisins or grapes from a variety of sources—the kitchen counter, the coffee table, vines in a private vineyard, a child’s lunch box— DOG PROOF YOUR VINEYARDS & REMOVE RAISINS AND
GRAPES FROM CANINE REACH. Do not feed your dog raisins/grapes as treats so that you can
avoid him/her “getting a taste for them”.
Remember that raisins are even more concentrated (and hence more
toxic) than grapes—approximately 4 pounds of grapes equal 1 pound of
raisins. The APCC also warns
that any substance in large doses can be toxic. However,
if you suspect your dog has eaten a large amount of raisins or grapes,
take your dog to a veterinarian immediately, and have them contact the
Animal Poison Control Center for assistance.
Have your veterinarian initiate decontamination measures, and
administer fluids and/or dialysis to assist/restart the dog’s kidneys.
Be aware that initially your veterinarian may suspect rat poison as
the above symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of rat poison. The
APCC is still unable to determine the cause of renal (kidney) failure.
Possibilities include 1) an agent in grapes and raisins themselves;
2) fungicides, herbicides, or pesticides contamination; 3) heavy metals;
4) high amounts of Vitamin D; or 5) fungus or mold contamination. Information
on raisin and grape toxicity is still very new; therefore, your veterinarian and fellow dog owners may not yet be aware of the
danger. Please pass
on this information to every dog owner, veterinarian, rescue group,
breeder, newsletter, listserve, and pet food store you can. For
more information about grapes and raisin toxicity and/or all substances
toxic to dogs and other animals, please see the ASCPA Animal Poison
Control Center Website at: If you suspect your dog has
ingested any poisonous substance, please contact your veterinarian and/or
the APCC at 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) immediately.
Also please read “Renal failure associated with ingestion of grapes or raisins in dogs.” The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). May 15, 2001. Volume 218. Number 10. Pages 1555-1556.
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