Raisins, Grapes Etc

[lankeela]

Following a recent discussion on raisins and grapes being poisonous to dogs, this sad tale was on facebook today on a Staffie Rescue group - the dog was a healthy large female Staffy.
".



It is with great sadness that we have to report that the beautiful Grace who was adopted in the Spring this year has passed away. She was a bit of a thief and got some raisins down from the work surface at the weekend. Raisins if eaten by dogs cause kidney failure. Her owners were unaware and would like us to spread the word around the dog community as to how poisonous raisins, grapes, sultanas etc are. So with Christmas coming please be so careful with all the fruit cakes around

[woofgang]

How sad lankeela. The problem is that not all dogs are as vulnerable to the condition so there are loads of people who say "well I have always given my dogs grapes with no ill effects" Our last dog who died six years ago, aged 14, not of grape or raisin related causes, used to enjoy grapes and was given them as a treat when she was younger. prior to that, our dogs were given chocolate, again with no ill effects. Now, of course we know better and wouldn't risk it.

[pixie373]

That's very sad. As you say, woofgang, just not worth the risk. Onions, too, i believe?

[anneasquith]

I wonder how many raisins it would take at one go to kill a dog ?

[woofgang]

It depends, not only on the size of the dog, but how susceptible they are.
this website says not many, but also that the actual mechanism is unclear.
http://www.petsadviser.com/pet-health/how-toxic-are-grapes-for-dogs/

here's a british article.
http://www.jelena-suran.com/joomla/images/stories/vjezbe/foodstufftoxictodogs.pdf

[anneasquith]

interesting, thanks woof.