Grapes Responsible For Death

Nerys · #1 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 11:55 AM

THIS IS AN URGENT WARNING TO PEOPLE REGARDING GRAPES

TRAGICALLY, YESTERDAY, LOU AND RAY LOST BOTH THEIR SKUNKS AS A RESULT OF A GRAPE BINGE..

this is a copy of the post they have done so far, a full vet report will be scanned and posted once its done..

please, those of you with mammals, strike grapes off the dietry lists.. they have been shown to be toxic in dogs, they are recommended as a "treat only" in gliders.. and now they have been the cause of the death of two skunks also.

"I wanted to hold off writing this and am crying as i type but feel it needs to be said for other unaware owners.

As some of you were aware we had 2 very cheeky very loving skunks Stompy and Mary Jane

They both passed away today after all our efforts and our wonderful vets effort who worked from the moment they went in through the night and through the next day, unfortunately we were too late and they both died of kidney failure.

RIP stompy who died 8am this morning (weds)

RIP Mary Jane who had a short life but died 4pm this afternoon (weds)

The cause of this death was grapes in their diet so please unless you knwo grapes are safe for your mammal remove them from your diets we do not want any of you to have to go through what we are now. we thought and were told by many skunk keepers from the usa that grapes were safe we have now found they are not.

Loulou and Fixx

(please feel free to cross post this to any forum you know we are active in I dont have the heart)"

guys.. i don't have the words to tell you how i feel, but.. you and they are both in my thoughts today, and were yesterday too..

all our love.. nerys & the girls..

Nerys · #2 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 11:57 AM

pixie_bex · #3 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 12:13 PM

Thats Terrible,

Would you know if they are still safe to give to Beardies?? Sorry for thinking of myself but Obi loves them..

Big hugs to Lou and Ray im so sorry for your terrible loss xxx

PendleHog · #4 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 12:13 PM

I heard about this last night.. I can honestly say I am absolutely heartbroken

All my love to Lou and Ray, and rest quietly Stompy and Mary Jane. xx

Nerys · #5 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 12:36 PM

grapes, as far as i have always been told, are not a good thing for any pet really..

raisons can also be toxic, and i avoid feeding them to anything i own too..

this is some info i have dug out for you

According to the ASPCA, around 1989 a disturbing trend began to emerge from the AnTox database used by its AnimalPoisonControlCenter: Nearly all the dogs reported to have eaten grapes or raisins developed acute renal (kidney) failure. These cases were noted all across the USA, with the amount eaten varying widely, from over a pound of grapes to as little as a single serving of raisins.
The database showed that dogs who ate the grapes and raisins typically vomited within a few hours of ingestion. Most of the time, partially digested grapes and raisins could be seen in the vomit, fecal material, or both. At this point, some dogs would stop eating (anorexia), and develop diarrhea. The dogs often became quiet and lethargic, and showed signs of abdominal pain. These clinical signs lasted for several days — sometimes even weeks.

When medical care was sought, blood chemistry panels showed consistent patterns. Hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels) was frequently present, as well as elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and phosphorous (substances that reflect kidney function). These chemistries began to increase anywhere from 24 hours to several days after the dogs ate the fruit. As the kidney damage developed, the dogs would produce little urine. When they could no longer produce urine, death occurred. In some cases, dogs who received timely veterinary care still had to be euthanized.
Although it is not known what component of the grapes or raisins causes renal failure in dogs, certain possibilities have been ruled out, including various pesticides, some heavy metals such as zinc and lead, and fungal contaminants. That dogs react in this fashion to both commercially-produced grapes and those grown informally in their owners' back yards indicates the likely culprit has nothing to do with the growing or cultivation process but is instead basic to grapes themselves.

In other words, all grapes are potentially dangerous to dogs — both grapes in the plump, "just picked" form and as their dried counterparts, raisins, and regardless of whether they came from the store or off the neighbor's vine. Don't feed your dog grapes or raisins, and don't leave these foodstuffs out where he could help himself to them.

This is not to say you need live in fear of your pooch's keeling over dead if he swallows a grape or two. However, if he downs a handful of grapes or even a smaller amount of raisins, get him to your veterinarian right away. Aggressive treatment with intravenous fluids and close monitoring are his best chance for survival.

Grapes and raisins aren't the only people foods known to be dangerous to man's best friend. Chocolate and cocoa can prove deadly to them, as can onions and macadamia nuts

pixie_bex · #6 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 12:39 PM

Thank you for that Nerys

I cant begin to imagen how they must be feeling

HABU · #7 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 12:47 PM

wonder why it is us humans can eat stuff like grapes, avacados, chocolate and other things with no ill effects, but these things are so toxic to other animals? esp. birds. it's weird how different our systems are. something as benign as a grape can kill things. i would have made the same mistake. i've fed grapes to lots of things before. it's a crying shame about the skunks. i'd be crushed.

1949_sam · #8 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 01:36 PM

OMG i had no idea and wont be feeding Grapes to any of my pets and thats for sure...

Nerys please send them all my love and that we are all thinking of them...

R.I.P Stompy + Mary Jane

All our love Sam, Jamie + House full
x x x x
x x x
x x
x

glidergirl · #9 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 01:57 PM

You beat me to it Nerys - I've posted the following on all the suggie forums I'm a member of and some none suggie forums too.

Quote:

As of yesterday, I'm gutted to have to tell you but grapes have claimed the lives of 2 more animals belonging to some very good friends of mine in the UK. I'm not going to say what kind of animal as they will come forward and announce it themseleves when they feel ready, all I will tell you is it's not suggies, dogs or parrots.
The past reports of dogs and parrots are easy to dismiss as the dogs are in the US and they belong to strangers, I've fed all my animals grapes and there's never been any problems, but now it's too close to home to ignore (or bury your head in the sand!)
IF YOU ARE FEEDING GRAPES, STOP NOW!! It has NOTHING to do with different digestive systems or how they function. I believe it is the insecticide DDT that is STILL used in SOME countries today. The DDT is sprayed whether it's directly on to the crop or not, some residue will settle on to the plant BUT ALSO it is washed INTO the soil and is ABSORBED by the plant and will be passed on to the fruit growing on the plant. So washing the fruit thoroughly WILL NOT wash away the DDT, it's actually IN the fruit.
I would imagine the toxins build up in the system to the point that the kidneys cannot cope with trying to erradicate it, and they fail, which sadly happened to my friends animals.
I know there's going to be people who will say "I'm not going to stop feeding them to my suggies because they love them!" but ask yourself if it's worth it! Your suggies won't love you any less if they don't receive another grape, but how will you feel if the grape you've handed your suggie is laced with a very potent toxin?
I should also say that in the US and in the UK DDT is NOT used, so Californian grapes MAY be ok, but again is it worth the risk? I won't be feeding a single grape to any animal ever again, it makes me wonder whether WE should even be eating them!!
[size=15pt]PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T IGNORE THIS!![/size]

Nerys · #10 (**permalink**) 24-05-2007, 02:04 PM

i know... so sad... its posted to the usa skunk chat sites i am on too.. so i know the EU folks will see it on there.. spent last night calling the skunk owners i know to warn them too..

marie.. re: the ddt...

this is what the above site says

Quote:

Although it is not known what component of the grapes or raisins causes renal failure in dogs, certain possibilities have been ruled out, including various pesticides, some heavy metals such as zinc and lead, and fungal contaminants. That dogs react in this fashion to both commercially-produced grapes and those grown informally in their owners' back yards indicates the likely culprit has nothing to do with the growing or cultivation process but is instead basic to grapes themselves.

what do you think?

lou said their bloods showed potassium levels had gone through the roof, but i just looked up the potassium content of grapes.. 2.3 mg K/CAL.. and i feed stuff thats a lot higher daily... celery for instance is 20 mg K/CAL.. Broccoli is 12 mg... cauliflower is 10.9mg..

so.. what is is about them?

N

N

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