Author: Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville, OHIO

This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet. My patient was a 56 pound, 5 yr old male lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, darrhea and shaking about 1 am on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency service until 7 am.

I had heard somewhere about raisins and grapes causing acute renal failure but hadn't seen any formal paper on this. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was like me - had heard something about it, but...
anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give IV fluids at 1 1/2 times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-72 hours.

The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32 (normal is less than 27) and creatine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal). Both are bloodstream monitors of kidney function. We placed an IV catheter and started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 pm and the BUN was over 40 and creatinine over 7 with no urine production after a liter of fluids. At that point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to MedVet for a urinary catheterr to monitor urine output overnight as well as overnight care.

He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values have continued to increase daily. He produced urine when given lasix as a diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still couldn't control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased again - his BUN was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his phosphorous was very elevated and his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220. He continued to vomit and the owners elected to euthanize.

This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins could be a toxin. Please alert everyone you know of this very serious risk. poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs raisins or grapes as treats, including our ex-handlers. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp

* Also chocolate, onions and macadamia nuts are very toxic for dogs.

With some people you just don't have a chance...

If you talk about dogs, you're a know-it-all; if you dont, you're a snob.

If you don't stop to chat at a show, success has gone to your head; if you do, you're a show-off.

If your dogs are at all the shows, you're not letting others have a chance; if your dogs aren't at all the shows, you're afraid of the competition.

If your dog wins, you know the judges; if they don't win, you know nothing about breeding.

If you win and thank the judge, you're playing politics; if you win and don't thank the judge, you're rude.

If you lose and congratulate the winner, you're a hypocrite; if you lose and don't thank the winner, you're a poor sport.

If you've been breeding less than 20 years, you're a novice; if you've been breeding for more than 20 years, you should step down and let the newcomers have a chance.

If you use your own stud, you're kennel blind; if you go outside for stud services, you don't think much of your own breeding.

If you sell most of your puppies, they aren't good enough to keep; if you keep them, you can't find buyers.

And so it goes......

(Author unknown)

Reprinted from American Kennel Gazette, August 1989, written by Julie K. Elliott for the Lhasa Apso Breed Column.

Part of preparing your puppy for a well-trained well-socialized adult life is keeping it safe from hazards while it is still young and vulnerable. As soon as your puppy is old enough to start exploring its environment, it's old enough to get into trouble. Here are 10 tips to help you make sure your new puppy's inquisitive nature doesn't get it into any real trouble.

1) Small objects can choke curious animals. Be sure your floor is clean, and check it at least once a day to make sure it is free of items a vacuum cleaner might miss: pieces of children's toys, hairpins, rubber bands, paperclips, dental floss, etc.

2) Electric wires can mean instant death to a puppy that exercises his natural chewing instinct. Unplug anything that you're not planning to use--like old radios--and put them out of the pup's reach. Tape the wires of necessary appliances to the wall or buy a commercial pet repellent (Bitter Apple) and spray that around the dangerous area.

3) Garbage cans are another source of potential danger. Most dogs love to root through the contents. Make sure the lids are tight and that they don't come off if the container is tipped over. (Or put your garbage bins up on a counter.)

4) If you keep detergents or bleach under the sink, place a piece of wood between the handles to "lock" the cabinet. Don't place insect (or rodent) poisons where your dog can get at them. If a poison container isn't childproof, it's not dog proof.

5) Keep toilet lids closed. Some people think it's cute to see a dog drink out of the toilet. It is definitely not healthy, and it is not cute when the pup falls in, gets his head stuck, or consumes a poisonous toilet bowl cleaner.

6) Check your yard and gate to make sure your little puppy can't get out. Enterprising puppies can dig their way to freedom in a matter of minutes, so watch for signs of loose dirt around the fence.

7) If you want to protect your home as well as your pet, remember that housebreaking takes time. You can train a puppy within a few days or weeks if you are consistent, but excited or nervous pups are still apt to have "accidents" for months afterwards. If you leave your pup alone for any length of time, you are liable to come home to a stained carpet and heaven knows what else. Would you leave a toddler alone? Confine the puppy to a small area, or better yet, a crate.

8) Teething is something all puppies have to go through. If you don't want your puppy chewing on your furniture, buy something safe for the pup to chew. Nylabones are wonderful

and they won't splinter. Some puppies like to chew even when they're adults, and a lonely or bored dog will gnaw on just about anything, including his own feet or coat.

9) Provide plenty of play toys: rubber balls (large enough so they won't become lodged in the pup's throat, yet small enough for him to carry around in his mouth), old socks tied in knots, latex squeaky toys (watch the squeakers; they come loose easily.)

10) Before bringing your new dog home, select a veterinarian and set up an appointment. A new puppy will need a series of shots, and a grown dog also needs regular, thorough checkups. Both your breeder and veterinarian can assist your with feeding advice and can give you tips on general care.

Your new puppy will bring you a lot of happiness throughout the years. One of the best ways of giving him happiness in return is by making sure your home is safe before adding this new, very special family member.

This is the face of an angel.

"Heaven's Tenshi" (Japanese for Angel) stands barely 9 and 1/2 inches tall at the withers and weighs almost 9 pounds soaking wet! Tiny, she may be, but cram-packed with affection. Her name could be 'Lovebug', as all she wants to do is cuddle and kiss. My kind of girl!

Unfortunately, she is a little small for the show ring, but she's a treasured member of this family. Tenshi turned one on September 02, 2007.

Duke and Zizou, father and son, made us very proud at the big LMDF Show in Abbotsford, BC, this October/07, winning Best In Show for Brace competition all three days! Thanks to Almaza Kroeschel for letting me have Duke to co-own.