Warning - Keep Fido Away From Raisins!
Laurinda Morris, DVM

"Raisins and Grapes can be toxic for dogs - even a small quantity of seven can be harmful! 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 neutered lab mix who ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 730 AM and 4 30 PM on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea 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 the subject. 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 less than 27) and creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal). Both are monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream.

"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 the point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to MedVet for a urinary catheter 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 phosphorus 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 who has a dog of this very serious risk. Poison control said as few as 7 raisins could be toxic.

"Many people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern. Feel free to contact me at if you have any questions."

Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
202 Rodmick St.
Danville, Ohio 43014
740-599-7342
740-599-5991

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The Facts from the Swiffer^® web site:

There is a false Internet rumor circulating rapidly among pet owners alleging that Swiffer^® WetJet^® may contain antifreeze and is harmful to pets. The Swiffer^® Wet^® cloths and WetJet^® liquid solution cleaners do not contain antifreeze or any ingredient similar to it. In fact, all Swiffer^® products are safe to use around pets.

We evaluated the Swiffer^® Wet^® cloths and WetJet^® cleaners to ensure they're safe—a fact confirmed by the ASPCA^®, independent veterinarians, and scientists. In fact, for nearly five years, people in more than 15 million U.S. homes have safely used Swiffer^® products on everything from the kitchen and living room floors to tables and ceiling fans.

We have pets, too, and their health and well-being are very important to us. Please help us stop this rumor by sharing the truth with others. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

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Here is the email or other rumor you may have heard or seen recently

The Swiffer^® WetJet^® Antifreeze Rumor:
From a Pennsylvania rescue list:

I recently had a neighbor who had to have their 5-year old German Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see what the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog had ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when he's outside, someone's with him, so the idea of him getting into something unknown was hard to believe. My neighbor started going through all the items in the house. When he got to the Swiffer^® Wetjet^®, he noticed, in very tiny print, a warning which stated "may be harmful to small children and animals." He called the company to ask what the contents of the cleaning agent are and was astounded to find out that antifreeze is one of the ingredients. (actually he was told it's a compound which is one molecule away from antifreeze).
 
Therefore, just by the dog walking on the floor cleaned with the solution, then licking it's own paws, and the dog eating from its dishes which were kept on the kitchen floor cleaned with this product, it ingested enough of the solution to destroy its liver.
 
Soon after his dog's death, his housekeepers' two cats also died of liver failure. They both used the Swiffer^® WetJet^® for quick cleanups on
their floors. Necropsies weren't done on the cats, so they couldn't file a lawsuit, but he asked that we spread the word to as many people as possible so they don't lose their animals.