Warning raisins, grapes and currants toxic to dogs

[lisah0711]

Just a little warning to folks who have dogs that raisins, grapes, and currants are toxic to dogs, even in small quantities.

How do I know this? DH made his famous fruitcake today (it is a family tradition and really is good). Our labrador puppy demonstrated a new talent and jumped on the counter and ate most of two fruitcakes -- who knew she could jump that high? And who knew that the two main ingredients in the fruitcake, raisins and currants are so toxic to dogs?

Luckily we were able to get her to the emergency vet quickly where they got rid of the majority of the fruitcake. Now she has to spend the night on an i.v. and then go to the regular vet in the morning for more i.v. therapy probably for another day or two. The concern is kidney damage. So far her bloodwork is coming out normal so I don't expect her to have long term ill effects.

Now, we will be calling this our $1,000 batch of fruitcake! So keep an eye on your pets and be aware of the weird things that can be toxic to them because we sure didn't know until today!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

We have a 7 lb. toy fox terrier/chihuahua mix that has totally taken over our life. Since Lucy has such tiny bones, we decided to take out health insurance on her. If anyone wonders, its VPI and I am so glad that it is available if Lucy decides to do something stupid while we are not looking.

 

[lovetoscrap]

OMG! I had no idea. I will keep your doggie in my thoughts and prayers that she continues to be well and can be home quick.

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks for the info. We may be looking into pet insurance here, too.

BTW I see you are in Iowa. We vacation every year at Lake Okoboji at a place that been in the family since 1893! Iowa is a wonderful place, everyone is so friendly. The weather isn't as friendly, though.

Give your pooch a pat!

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks for the kind words and thoughts. I "transported" Sadie from the emergency vet to her regular vet this morning. She was very happy and even chewed her collar off on the ride over! They will do some bloodwork and keep her on fluids today. If we are lucky she can come home. Looks like no ill effects but it could have been a tragedy so be warned.

 

[damo]

Also watch out for sugarless gum and other food containing xylitol. A pack of sugarless gum can kill a dog.

"Within 30 minutes of consuming a small amount of a xylitol-sweetened product, the ASPCA says, dogs can experience a dramatic drop in blood sugar, and they usually begin vomiting, become lethargic and can have difficulty standing or walking. Some have seizures, develop internal hemorrhaging and lesions and suffer liver failure. As few as two or three sticks of xylitol gum could be toxic to a 20-pound dog, the ASPCA says."

 

[Aimeedyan]

I am sorry about your pup and hope they feel better soon! onions are also poisionious, along with lrg protions of garlic... and many other things...

 

[MM27]

add to that list ONIONS and CHOCOLATE (especially dark chocolate).

Hope your doggy feels better soon.

 

[DisneyKT]

Sorry for your dog. I hope everthing turns out ok. Also apple seeds are bad for dogs.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Wow. $1000 fruitcake! That's almost what it costs to make them these days, let alone the cost of veterinary care.

I did not know this or that sugarless gum was so toxic.

Hope your dog is feeling better. What an ordeal!

 

[muffyn]

sorry to hear about your dog/

who knew

my dogs LOVE grapes!
I'll have to check on this. see what damage this has caused.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

My chi got into chocolate cake yesterday. It was in the middle of the table so we're assuming she stood on the edge of her bed to reach it. She's luckily fine and we think she just got frosting since it was all over her face, but that little booger. Stinks that the fruitcake problem had to happen to you, but trust me the $1000 will be worth it - the puppy will pay you back in love and comfort. I encourage all pet owners to investigate bad foods to give to dogs. Other ones off the top of my head are chocolate, pizza crust, pork, and anything spicy.

 

[damo]

My chi got into chocolate cake yesterday. It was in the middle of the table so we're assuming she stood on the edge of her bed to reach it. She's luckily fine and we think she just got frosting since it was all over her face, but that little booger. Stinks that the fruitcake problem had to happen to you, but trust me the $1000 will be worth it - the puppy will pay you back in love and comfort. I encourage all pet owners to investigate bad foods to give to dogs. Other ones off the top of my head are chocolate, pizza crust, pork, and anything spicy.

Pizza crust and pork?

 

[Hercules10]

add to that list ONIONS

I found this out the other day too and did not realize that onions made dogs sick. But it explains why mine always got the runs after eating my burgers that I mix onions into.

 

[agnes!]

I know that this thread is serious, but it's almost a cosmic joke. WHO KNEW that an animal that regularly can and WILL eat all sorts of GARBAGE can get so sick from HEALTHY food!? Dark chocolate, spicy food (garlic, onions, spices can be good for humans), fresh fruit....

As Arsenio Hall used to say...This is one of those things that make you go "Hmmmmmmm...."

agnes!

 

[ckay87]

Also keep in mind that Labs will eat anything that's not tied down! Sending your puppy some good get-well wishes.

I will be careful about our grapes too. I had heard that before but forgot about it. We have the bad habit in our house of, when we drop food, we just forget about it because within seconds a dog will swoop in and take care of it (that is, after all, the reason we have dogs.) But this is a good reminder that we need to think about what might land on the floor.

 

[lovetoscrap]

How is your dog doing?

 

[lisah0711]

Thanks for all the kind posts. Sadie was released from the regular vet last night after being on fluids again all day. She was happy and playing as usual and very happy to be home. She goes back on Wednesday for another blood test. If that comes back clean, then there was most likely no damage to her kidneys.

According to the vet, the toxin in grapes isn't known so they can't say how much it takes to cause damage. Also, some dogs react more strongly to it than others. One dog can eat a whole bunch of grapes and be fine. Another can eat a few and die. Unfortunately the fruitcake had lots of raisins and currants, which (who knew?) is a type of grape.

And it turns out it will be more like a $750 batch of fruitcake. I don't mind spending money to take care of our faithful companion who gives us unconditional love, as long as she will have a good quality of life.

Thanks again to all my animal loving fellow Disers!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Glad your pup is okay!


I am curious about the poster who mentioned pizza crust and pork - both are just fine when fed to dogs, some dog foods even have pork in it as a source of protein! Pizza crust doesn't have anything in it that dog treats don't already have.

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Glad your pup is okay!


I am curious about the poster who mentioned pizza crust and pork - both are just fine when fed to dogs, some dog foods even have pork in it as a source of protein! Pizza crust doesn't have anything in it that dog treats don't already have.

I can't imagine that a pizza "bone" as we call them, would do any harm (except for the carbs!), but I have always been told that dogs cannot digest pork. In fact, my friend had a perfectly healthy dog who, a few years ago, got up on the counter and scarfed down half a ham. The dog quickly developed pancreatitis so severe that it destroyed the dog's pancreas, thus making her diabetic. Even though she gets daily injections, within 6 months the dog became totally blind!
So if eating ham just once was this catastrophic, I will never let my dog eat pork of any kind!