Grape Toxicity In The Dog.
The fact that grapes are poisonous to dogs is well documented on the internet and elsewhere. The complication is that we do not know the precise substance which makes grapes toxic to dogs. Further confusion occurs because this can be a very variable poison. Some dogs can eat a very large amount of grapes and suffer no consequences. While others swallow a relatively small amount and then suffer quite severe symptoms.
One thing is for sure though, never give your dog grapes.
But how many grapes are poisonous { toxic } to dogs?
I know there are reports on the internet that just eating one grape is going to cause your dog serious problems. This may be the case in extremely rare circumstances, but I fear that some of this may be fake news.
In practice you have to draw the line somewhere, so given the variable nature of this toxicity most vets just make up their own minds on the subject.
Key Information: My own advice based on my clinical experience and the literature is that unless a dog eats ten grapes or more per twenty pounds of its bodyweight then adverse side effects will be unlikely
What symptoms would be expected with grape poisoning in the dog?
The most common early symptom of minor grape or raisin toxicity is vomiting, which is generally seen within 24 hours after ingestion. This is then followed by lack of appetite, lethargy, and possibly diarrhoea.
Where a larger amount of grapes has been ingested then more severe signs are not seen until 24-48 hours after ingestion. This is because often acute kidney failure may have begun. Signs of acute kidney failure will include things like nausea, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, and excessive urination.
As the poisoning progresses, the kidneys may shut down and the dog will then not produce any urine. Following this, the dog’s blood pressure will increase dramatically and the dog will usually lapse into a coma. Once the kidneys have shut down and urine output has dropped, the outlook is very poor.
How is grape toxicity in the dog treated?
As with a great many toxins if you can induce vomiting and recover the grapes within the first hour after ingestion then the chances are that everything will be OK. So if you actually see your dog swallow the grapes then this is the way to go.
Please follow this link for an accurate article which covers how to induce vomiting in the dog: LINK
Another thing that might help is to give activated charcoal orally, this could be of help if administered in the first four or five hours after ingestion where inducing vomiting has been ineffective. Please follow this link for more information: LINK
However where adverse symptoms have already started then unfortunately it will be unlikely that you can do much to help on a home remedy basis. In this case, your best bet is to get your dog to an ER vet without delay.
Intensive IV fluid therapy for a few days can help mitigate any kidney damage. Your vet can monitor the damage via blood tests and there are prescription drugs which can help to some extent.
Sadly there is no antidote.