I received this e-mail and wanted to pass it along.
Sidney
Quoting:
Also confirmed by Snopes.com
>>
>>Hi all,
>>
>>Had this confirmed by Dr. Dean Lavallee and he said the raisins were for
>>sure a no-no for dogs.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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 who 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 I V 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.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Laurinda Morris, DVM
>> Danville Veterinary Clinic
>> Danville, Ohio
>> Pam King
>> Region 18 ESC
>> Executive Administrative Assistant
>> 432-567-3211 phone
>> 432-561-4311 fax