MINCE pies and Christmas puddings can kill dogs, causing kidney failure, vets have warned.
Hundreds of dogs have been admitted to out-of-hours clinics and 24/7 hospitals run by emergency vets as a result of eating the fruits.
Staffordshire terrier called Tiggy, from Dundee, ended up on an IV drip after eating a dozen mince pies to the horror of owner Lisa Webster.
Tiggy, who broke through a locked child gate to reach the treats, was kept in overnight but survived the ordeal two years ago.
Vets Now, the UK’s biggest provider of emergency pet care, says it treats around four dogs a week for grape and raisin toxicity and there is often a spike in cases around Christmas.
They have drawn up an advice guide on what to do if a dog eats the fruits and a comprehensive list of other hazards pet owners should keep out of their dog’s reach during the festive season.
Clinical director Amanda Boag said: “We see a 40% rise in cases around this time of year and often it’s due to dogs eating things they shouldn’t such as mince pies, Christmas pudding or stollen cake.
“All grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can be poisonous to dogs, and potentially poisonous to cats, and the dried versions of the fruits are more frequently associated with severe symptoms.
“It’s unclear exactly what causes the toxic effects but just one grape, raisin, currant or sultana can be toxic so real caution should be taken with foods that contain them.”
Vets Now emergency vets Elisabetta Clementi, Rachel Croft and Ava Firth carried out a study into the treatment and short-term outcomes of dogs diagnosed with grape and raisin intoxication.
They examined 606 cases that had presented at Vets Now’s 53 out-of-hours clinics and three 24/7 pet emergency hospitals between November 2012 and February 2016.
More than half, 53%, had to be kept in overnight.
Of those, 241 (74%) cases were discharged within 24 hours, 79 (24%) were allowed home between 24 and 48 hours while four (1%) were hospitalised for more than two days.
Among the most common clinical signs recorded in the dogs were sickness, diarrhoea, lethargy and abdominal pain.
However, it wasn’t possible to determine how many, if any, suffered kidney failure due to the short-term nature of the patient records.
Ms Boag added: “The good news is prognosis for grape and raisin toxicity is generally good if treated early and there’s been no kidney damage.
“Normally symptoms start showing between six and 24 hours after the dog has eaten grapes or raisins.
“But these may not take effect for several days and in the most serious cases, the fruits can also cause sudden kidney failure.
“If you think your dog has eaten grapes, raisins, sultanas or currants, or anything containing them, you should telephone your vet immediately or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic.”
An estimated 300 million mince pies and 25 million Christmas puddings are sold in the UK every festive season.
Dogs of any age, breed or gender can be affected by raisin and grape toxicity.
Owners who suspect their pet has eaten grapes or raisins should not wait for signs or symptoms to appear before they contact a vet, to ensure treatment can be given, before the toxins in the fruit can be absorbed.
Vets Now will be open day and night throughout Christmas and New Year to treat any pet emergencies that may occur.
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