| According the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, | | | | that blood tests were finally taken. Unfortunately, by |
| they have found that grapes and raisins can cause | | | | then acute renal failure had developed and the dog |
| poisoning in dogs when eaten in large quantities. This is | | | | died, despite the aggressive treatments given.What Is |
| something that dog owners should be aware of if you | | | | The Treatment Provided?Care and management of |
| normally give your pet fruits and vegetables as | | | | this toxic poisoning will most often consist of induced |
| snacks.The Center managed 140 grape/raisin poisoning | | | | vomiting, stomach pumping and administrating activated |
| cases from April 2003 to April 2004. According to their | | | | charcoal to prevent the absorption of the toxins by the |
| information, out of these 140 cases, over 50 of these | | | | body. This will most likely be followed by intravenous |
| dogs developed symptoms of toxin poisoning ranging | | | | fluid therapy for at least 48 hours.In addition, blood tests |
| from vomiting to kidney damage and kidney failure. | | | | will have to be taken to check on the elevation of |
| Seven of the dogs died. At this point, no one really | | | | blood calcium levels (Hypocalcaemia), as well as on |
| knows what is in this fruit that causes such a problem | | | | the elevation levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine |
| in dogs.What Are The Symptoms?The toxic | | | | and phosphorus, all of which affect kidney |
| symptoms can vary, but most of the signs exhibited | | | | function.Unfortunately in some cases, even aggressive |
| by canines include lethargic behavior, abdominal pain, | | | | treatment may not work due to the dog's poor |
| vomiting, diarrhea and signs of kidney failure within 6 to | | | | response to the treatment or length of time between |
| 24 hours of eating this fruit. Should you come home to | | | | realizing that your dog is showing signs of poisoning |
| find that your dog has eaten the bunch of grapes | | | | and getting help. Kidney damage and failure is very |
| sitting on the table or a packet of raisins, take them to | | | | likely, which could result in death. Therefore it is |
| your veterinarian immediately.However, please be | | | | imperative that you get veterinary help as soon as |
| advised that your veterinarian may not even be aware | | | | possible. Don't wait for symptoms to appear if you |
| that grapes and raisins can cause severe toxicity in | | | | know your pet has eaten several raisins and/or |
| your dog... so you may need to educate your | | | | grapes.If you have been feeding your pet these fruits |
| veterinarian on this. Be insistent and have blood tests | | | | on occasion as a snack (one or two grapes now and |
| done immediately.How do you know if your dog has | | | | again probably won't do any damage), it would be |
| eaten too much grapes or raisins? Here's a true story | | | | wise to stop the practice altogether. There are many |
| to give you some idea:One lady lost her Australian | | | | other safe and healthy alternatives such as apples, |
| Shepherd/Saint Bernard mix to renal failure after her | | | | carrots and celery that dogs are quite happy to snack |
| dog ingested one cup of raisins. Keep in mind that this | | | | on instead.Rose Smith owns Caring For Canines which |
| would be a fairly large dog. After the dog began | | | | provides information on natural & holisitic methods that |
| vomiting later in the day she took her dog into her | | | | you can follow so your dog will have a long and |
| veterinarian. The vet believed it was only an upset | | | | healthy life. Read articles about canine nutrition, pet |
| stomach and sent the dog home. It wasn't until a few | | | | health care, natural medications, and more. Visit: today. |
| days later when the dog's condition hadn't improved | | | | |