A sick friend

[HJMinard]

Did you know that grapes and raisins are toxic for dogs? I didn't. Our buddy discovered and ate an 8 oz. box of raisins and he is suffering from possible renal failure. He's hospitalized for at least 48 hours to receive IV fluids to hopefully flush out the toxins and get his kidneys functioning. We miss him dearly.
http://www.pbase.com/hjminard/image/32298731/medium.jpg

[Belmondo]

We'll keep our finders crossed. We sometimes forget how vulnerable these little guys can be, especially in an environment with so many innocent looking hazards.

Please let us know how he's doing.

[gramps]

Jay, you guys are in our thoughts and prayers.

[sparker1]

Very sad, sure hope he recovers fully.

[swoop1156]

Jay, I am so sorry. After losing my Border Collie I had for 16 years, I went through an almost withdrawl type syndrome. I was never without her!

I swear though that I've given my dog a raisin or grape here or there. I am not sure about a whole box though. Something for me to research in addition to the chocolate.

Best wishes from Japan, I hope he get's better very soon!

EDIT! I just read that you're from Pt. Huron, Michigan! I live off exit 184 off I-69, that would be M-19 near Emmett and Memphis, Richmond and Yale.

Small world, keeps me near home all the time, even across the world. Again, best luck with him and his speedy recovery.

[pcasciola]

Sorry to hear that, Jay. Hopefully everything will turn out ok. I never would have thought grapes and raisins would be harmful.

Oddly enough, I just found out today that one of my barber's other customers lost a parrot because his wife cleaned the oven, and had not idea that the chemicals released during that process are toxic to parrots.

[HJMinard]

Everybody ... thanks for your kind thoughts. Gramps - you and Pudge have been in our prayers also.

I swear though that I've given my dog a raisin or grape here or there. I am not sure about a whole box though. Something for me to research in addition to the chocolate.

Best wishes from Japan, I hope he get's better very soon!

EDIT! I just read that you're from Pt. Huron, Michigan! I live off exit 184 off I-69, that would be M-19 near Emmett and Memphis, Richmond and Yale.

Small world, keeps me near home all the time, even across the world. Again, best luck with him and his speedy recovery.

The quantity is key - a grape or raisin here or there will not be problematic (from what I've read).

It is a small world ... especially considering I spent a little over a year on Okinawa myself (Nov. 1990 to Jan. 1992).

[HJMinard]

C.J. is home and seems to be feeling well. His blood tests show that his kidneys are still not fully functioning ... probably never will. We're told that he will likely die from renal failure, but it could be years from now (he's 5 years old). He will be tested again in a week and decisions will then be made with regard to future diet and treatment needs.

All this we consider relatively good news ... but at best his lifespan will certainly be shorter than it otherwise would have been. Please keep grapes and raisins out of reach of your dogs!

[Belmondo]

Jay:
That's at least partially welcome news. Hopefully they're just being conservative about the long term prognosis.

Thanks for the update.


Tom

[gramps]

Jay, what are you feeding him?

[Jessica Rabbit]

Im so sorry to hear about what happened. What an eye opener, I never would have thought.
I hope your loved one will be alright.

[HJMinard]

Jay, what are you feeding him?

They sent us home with: Hill's Prescription Diet Canine k/d

This stuff is made specifically for kidney disease. Future tests will determine if he must continue with this ... I was told it's only available through the vet. Therefore probably expensive.

[gramps]

Jay, most of the Hill's food is highly reguarded by the vets I know. We have never had to deal with kidney problems in any of our dogs but, as you know with Pudge, we are dealing with other problems. In the past month I have learned more about dog food, by doing research on the internet, than I had learned in the past 50+ years. For what it's worth right now I will not feed Pudge anything that is not human grade food. The main part of his diet is here, www.thehonestkitchen.com (http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/) he is on the one called "Embark".

[thomascanty]

Very sorry to hear about Jay. I knew chocolate could be toxic to dogs, but this is the first time I heard about grapes and raisins being bad.

I recently switched Ashley and my two cats to a much healthier, people-grade food. Now, they get Innova from Natura Pet (http://www.naturapet.com/). They claim to be "the healthiest pet foods in the world."

[cocodel1st]

He is a beautiful guy. I have a chocolate lab, and he has ate grapes before (sharing with my grandson). He specializes in cleaning up my tomatoes right off the vines. But for the grapes, I never seen any adverse reaction. Thanks for the warning though. I will head to eat.
Meanwhile, I hope that everything will be well for you and your buddy. Best Wishes

[Mills]

Good Luck.

[RichardtheSane]

Good luck Jay and I hope that he recovers as fully as possible

Best wishes from one dog lover to another

[D Boone]

It amazes me what they can't eat sometimes, you really wouldn't think that grapes would bother them. Glad he is feeling better though, hope all turns out well.

[Steve Parr]

I knew chocolate was no good, but had no idea about grapes and raisins.

My brother-in-law's Rotweiller once ate our kitchen garbage can. You'd think that would be bad for a dog but, apparently, not.

Here's hoping your dog's on the mend soon...

Steve

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Did you know that grapes and raisins are toxic for dogs?

I just found that out about a month ago, my wife works at the local vet hospital. She has been a tech there for about 10 years now. They just had a dog in that did the same thing. I hope your dog does okay. Keep us posted.

[swoop1156]

My Dog passed on from Kidney Failure. One day she was jumping, running, being the normal Trisha...the next morning -- she couldn't stand on her own, eat or move a limb. Overnight it happened. I guess that's the way to go.

Glad to hear that your doggie is doing better! Thanks for the update.

[HJMinard]

The good news update ... C.J.'s follow up blood test showed two of the three kidney function indicators have returned to the "normal" range. The third indicator was just a smidge higher than normal. The vet seems to be a little more optimistic. They're keeping him on the prescription food for now, but that will be reviewed after his regular spring checkup in late April or early May. Thanks again for all of your kind thoughts.

[Belmondo]

That is wonderful news. Fingers are still crossed.

[Maureen Souza]

So glad to hear it!!! .

[Jessica Rabbit]

Thats wonderful.
Huge huge to your pup.

[Reigh Higgins]

I hope C.J. lives a long life. Thanks for the info.

[cgratti]

Best wishes for a full recovery. What a pretty animal.
Glad I read this thread, i give my dogs grapes and raisins all the time. not 8oz at a time but 2 or 3 at a time now and then.

** Mental note to self: No more raisins for the pooches.

[gramps]

Jay, that is great news.

[MegaTrixel]

Very good news Jay!

Best wishes for C.J.'s continued recovery!