Most dogs enjoy a sample of human food every now and then, whether we give them leftover scraps or they fish last night&'s dinner out of the garbage can. However, some human foods are toxic to canines. According to the American Kennel Club and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure and other symptoms in dogs.
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General Information
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Grape toxicosis can be fatal in dogs. Even a single serving of grapes can cause an allergic reaction in dogs called grape toxicosis. Acute renal (kidney) failure is a side effect of grape consumption. Raisins and prunes have the same effect on dogs. A 2005 toxicology brief in "Veterinary Technician" reported that between January 2001 and August 2004, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center received more than 200 calls about dogs eating grapes or raisins.
Symptoms
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Lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea are symptoms of acute kidney failure. Your dog may become symptomatic immediately or up to six hours after consuming grapes. Some symptoms may take 24 hours or several days to appear. Your dog might be having an allergic reaction to grapes, raisins or another toxic substance if he exhibits these symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy (extreme fatigue), weakness, disorientation, loss of appetite, problems urinating and changes in water consumption. Take your dog to the vet immediately if he displays any of these symptoms.
Why are Grapes Toxic?
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Researchers do not know why grapes are toxic to dogs. At this time, veterinary researchers don&'t know why grapes are poisonous to dogs. All kinds of grapes and grape products--seedless, white, red, raisins and grape pressings--can cause acute renal failure. Grape-seed extract is not considered dangerous. Since no one is sure what part of the grape is toxic or why it is, any amount of grapes your dog eats should be considered a potentially fatal amount.
Testing for Grape Toxicosis
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If your dog is exhibiting any symptoms of grape or raisin toxicosis, take her to the vet immediately. Your vet may perform a physical exam as well as a urinalysis or urine culture, a complete blood count, abdominal X-rays or ultrasounds, a kidney biopsy and other blood tests.
Treatment
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Acute kidney failure is a life-threatening condition. There is no way of treating it from home. Your vet may perform one or more of the following treatments to reverse the likelihood or effects of kidney failure: inducing vomiting (most effective within two hours of grape consumption), giving an intravenous (IV) fluid drip, encouraging urine production, putting your dog on dialysis or hemodialysis, or administering medications such as ethanol or 4-methylpyrazole.
Other Foods to Avoid
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Avocados are another food that&'s tasty to humans but toxic to canines. Many human foods are inappropriate for consumption by canines. These include chocolate, milk, onions, avocados, raw or undercooked meat, garlic, chives, Macadamia nuts, coffee, caffeine and alcohol.
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