Grapes, Raisins, Onions, Garlic and Macadamia Nuts - All the good stuff - Toxic to Dogs!.

I received an email recently asking if it was true that grapes and raisins were poisonous to dogs. It's true. A dog the size of a Cocker Spaniel may get sick and die from eating a bowl of grapes or a handful of raisins.

A lot remains to be learned about this. If you fed grapes to ten dogs, nine of them may not get sick at all and one of them might die. At this point, no one is sure what it is in grapes that makes dogs sick, and no one is sure exactly how many grapes or raisins it takes to make a dog sick.

The Poison Control Center of the Society for the Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has been studying the problem intensely for the past several years. (If you suspect your dog or cat or other animal has been poisoned, you can call the SPCA Poison Control Center yourself, at 888 426 4435. For a $55 fee on your credit card they will answer your questions, give you advice, and, if needed, your veterinarian can call them back later for advice on the case.)

The SPCA has had autopsies and lab work done on many dogs poisoned by grapes and they have tested grapes and raisins for things like mercury, insecticides and pesticides, and so far have found no explanation for the toxicity.

They have found that the damage done is mainly to the kidneys. The first symptoms are usually vomiting and diarrhea, and usually occur within 6 hrs to as long as 24 hrs after the dog eats the grapes or raisins. Treatment involves making the dog vomit or "pumping" his stomach to get rid of the grapes, and lots of intravenous fluids to protect the kidneys by "flushing them out."

There are other things we humans like to eat that can be poisonous to dogs. Chocolate, of course, is one I have written about several times over the years. The toxic ingredient is similar to caffeine, which could also be toxic to dogs. The symptoms are what you might expect - extreme nervousness, twitching muscles, incoordination, and maybe vomiting and diarrhea. While an upset stomach from eating stuff with chocolate in it is common in dogs, actual chocolate poisoning is not as common. It takes quite a bit of milk chocolate, although less if the chocolate is dark, semi-sweet, and rich. Unsweetened baking chocolate is the most toxic form.

Onions, and to a lesser extent, garlic, leeks and chives are also toxic. Any part of these plants may initially cause vomiting and diarrhea, and can do severe, fatal damage to blood cells. Any amount should be considered toxic in a dog.

The toxin in Macadamia nuts is not known, but causes weakness, often worse in the back legs, incoordination and nervous tremors, and vomiting. Other symptoms may develop. A dog the size of a Cocker Spaniel could get sick from less than an ounce of Macadamia nuts.

In today's world, there are a bewildering array of potentially poisonous things for dogs and cats to eat. No veterinarian, even in an emergency clinic, can reliably keep up with all the possibilities. The SPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available 24 hrs every day and they can provide life saving information very quickly. For a modest fee they can help you decide if you need to spend a hundred dollars or more for emergency treatment for your pet, and for no added fee they will advise your veterinarian on the best treatment. All you or your veterinarian has to do is call 888-426-4435.