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 ½
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.
