Oh no! Your dog ate a grape. This can be a scary situation, as grapes (and raisins) are toxic to dogs. The exact reason why is still unknown, but they can cause kidney failure in some dogs. Here’s what you need to do:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Stay Calm: It’s understandable to panic, but your dog will pick up on your anxiety. Try to remain calm so you can think clearly.
- Remove Remaining Grapes: Make sure your dog can’t access any more grapes. Check the area thoroughly.
- Determine How Many Grapes They Ate: This is crucial information for your veterinarian. Even one grape can be problematic for a small dog. Try to estimate the number as accurately as possible.
- Identify Your Dog’s Breed and Weight: This information is vital for calculating potential toxicity levels. Small breeds are generally more vulnerable to the effects of grape toxicity.
- Induce Vomiting (If Safe and Recent): Only induce vomiting if the ingestion happened within the last two hours and if your dog is acting normally (not lethargic, disoriented, or having difficulty breathing).
* Do NOT induce vomiting if: * Your dog is already vomiting. * Your dog is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or showing signs of distress. * Your dog has underlying health conditions, especially brachycephalic breeds (like pugs and bulldogs) are not great candidates to induce vomiting at home as they have a harder time breathing. * How to Induce Vomiting (with veterinarian approval): The safest and most effective method is to administer 3% hydrogen peroxide orally. The typical dosage is 1 milliliter per pound of body weight, with a maximum dose of 45 milliliters (3 tablespoons) for larger dogs. Use a syringe or turkey baster to administer the peroxide. Walk your dog around to encourage movement. If vomiting doesn’t occur within 15 minutes, you can repeat the dose once. Do not exceed two doses. Always call your veterinarian or poison control before inducing vomiting. - Contact Your Veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline Immediately: Even if you’ve induced vomiting, you still need to seek professional advice. They can advise on the next steps and determine if your dog needs to be seen.
When to Call the Vet (Even if Your Dog Seems Fine)
It’s always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to grape ingestion. Contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately, regardless of whether your dog is showing symptoms. Symptoms can take hours or even days to appear, and early intervention is crucial.
Seek immediate veterinary care if your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Increased thirst and urination (initially)
- Decreased urination or no urination (later stages)
- Weakness
- Tremors
Your veterinarian may recommend blood work to assess kidney function and intravenous fluids to help flush the toxins from your dog’s system. They might also administer activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins in the digestive tract.
Grape toxicity is a serious condition, but with prompt action and veterinary care, many dogs can recover fully. Don’t hesitate to seek help if your dog has eaten a grape – it could save their life!
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