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 | Dr. Tim Dietrick Q. I heard that grapes and raisins are poisonous to pets. Is this true?
A. Unfortunately, grapes and raisins are toxic to pets, including cats, dogs and ferrets. The exact toxic agent and mechanism of action are unknown. Speculation is that some byproduct of digested grapes/raisins causes toxicity.
The ultimate effect of an overdose of either of these products is kidney failure. The number of grapes causing toxicity is approximately 1 per pound. A 10-pound dog would require only 10 grapes to receive a toxic dose. Raisins can be toxic at a rate of three per pound, or 30 raisins for a 10-pound dog.
Clinical signs usually start within six to 24 hours after ingestion. The initial signs are gastrointestinal, such as loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of kidney failure include vomiting and decreased urine production. As with any toxicity, time is of the essence. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested grapes or raisins.
Treatment is aimed at preventing absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by inducing vomiting and administering activated charcoal to bind any digested grapes/raisins in the intestines. Decontaminating the gastrointestinal tract is only useful if it is initiated within three to six hours of ingestion. The sooner the grapes/raisins are removed, the less likely deadly kidney problems will develop.
Hospitalization with intravenous fluids and injectable medications aimed at supporting the kidneys is required for a few days. Kidney values are monitored daily as well. Unfortunately, pets in renal failure have a poor prognosis for recovery.
The best advice is to avoid feeding grapes/raisins to your pet. Even a handful of either to a pet can be unnecessarily risky.
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Q. My dog recently developed a harsh cough and was diagnosed with kennel cough. What is this disease?
A. Kennel cough, technically known as infectious tracheo- bronchitis (ITB), is a highly contagious respiratory disease of dogs. The upper part of the trachea becomes infected with a virus, bacteria or combination of both. ITB is considered a nuisance disease causing little to no damage to your dog. The disease usually runs its course in one to three weeks. ITB is not contagious to other pets, such as cats, birds and ferrets.
The primary clinical sign of ITB is a dry, hacking cough. Often infected dogs will gag and cough up some white foam. These dogs usually have good appetites and appear otherwise normal. The coughing is exacerbated by exercise or excitement. Signs are usually worse at night when fluid accumulates in the trachea while your dog is sleeping. The cough is so harsh and loud that no one in the house is able to sleep. Many ITB dogs are seen at emergency clinics after midnight for this very reason.
Treatment includes oral antibiotics, cough suppressants and rest. Rest is an important component of the treatment protocol and cannot be over-emphasized. Dogs with ITB should not run or exercise for at least two to three weeks. Avoid leashes around the neck since this creates pressure on the upper trachea and induces coughing. ITB dogs should be isolated from other dogs in the house because the disease is highly contagious.
Vaccines are available from your veterinarian that can help prevent this respiratory disease. Remember no vaccine is 100 percent. Dogs regularly boarded or on the show circuit should receive a yearly injectable vaccine and biannual intranasal vaccines. The intranasal vaccine promotes immunity in just a few days and is sufficient for dogs that are occasionally boarded. In fact, many kennels prohibit dogs not currently vaccinated against ITB. Overall, however, kennel cough is easily treated and most dogs completely recover in one to three weeks.
(C) 2011 Richmond Times-Dispatch. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved
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