Toxin Tuesdays: Grapes and Raisins

These may seem benign, but they can be deadly to our pets! (Image Source)

Grapes and raisins are a very frustrating toxin to deal with in our pets. Part of this is because they are so safe in humans many people think there is no harm in giving them to our pets. Another reason they are frustrating is that no one knows the exact reason or way they cause toxicity to our pets. It also does not seem to depend on the amount ingested. So one grape could be as bad as 10 grapes in some animals. The final reason grapes are a frustrating toxin is that some pets will not show any signs whatsoever, while other pets have to be hospitalized and may even die from eating them. This makes treatment much more difficult.

 

Better to just stay away than risk your dog becoming sick. (Image Source)

There are a variety of symptoms that can be associated with ingestion of grapes or raisons. In extreme cases it could lead to renal failure. More mild cases will include vomiting, diarrhea and pain in the abdomen. A few cases have reported weakness and a stumbling gait. Gastro-intestinal signs can begin within twelve to twenty-four hours, whereas kidney changes seem to begin around 24 hours.

 

You can dress them up like grapes, just don't feed them grapes or raisins (Image Source)

Since there is no indicator for which animals will be able to tolerate eating grapes and which cannot, it is best to avoid them all together in our pets. If your pet has ingested these products calling your veterinarian quickly will be the best way to try and avoid more serious consequences. If it was a recent ingestion and there are no symptoms they may make the patient vomit to see how much of the material they can recover. While there, it is also a good idea to draw blood and at least get baseline kidney values. Ideally patients would be hospitalized and placed on IV fluids to help support the kidneys even if there are no changes yet. After fluids are initiated a recheck blood draw can be done around 72 hours. If all clear that point, they will likely not have any long term side effects.

For more information on grape exposure you can visit the following website here and here.