A fruit snack has proved fatal for a dog, leaving a family devastated after the death of their loved pet.
Craig Domigan bought Dennis, a bull mastiff, for his daughter India (16) two years ago.
The normally healthy pet was put down two weeks ago, after eating grapes from a vine in the Domigan's backyard in Timaru. The fruit had caused irreparable kidney damage.
‘‘He was a massive, muscly dog and India was attached to him,'' Mr Domigan said. "We're all very upset.''
A ‘‘mischievous dog'', Dennis liked to chew many things and had discovered the grapevine several weeks ago.
The vine had been along the back fence for several years but this year it had grown a particularly big crop.
‘‘It was massive - there were about 40 big bunches of grapes along the back fence.''
Mr Domigan noticed the dog had been eating some of the fruit after finding grapes in his faeces.
‘‘Then about two weeks ago he went off his food. He seemed OK and I left it four or five days but noticed he was getting skinnier.''
The family went away for the weekend and on their return noticed how much weight their pet had lost.
‘‘First thing on the Monday morning I took him to [the] vets.''
Blood tests were taken and came back ‘‘with the level of toxins in his blood through the roof''.
‘‘The vet was surprised he was still alive. The sad thing was Dennis was behaving like his normal self. He wasn't 100% but he was happy.''
The family left him at the vet's overnight and prepared for the worst. They hoped the toxin levels would come down but they did not.
‘‘India was by Dennis' side when he was put down.''
Mr Domigan hoped that telling Dennis' story would save another family from similar devastation and heartache.
‘‘If telling this story can save even one other dog's life then it's worth it.''
Aorangi Vet Clinic veterinarian Bryan Gregor said the dog's experience was uncommon but there was always a risk with dogs eating something they should not.
‘‘It's not known what causes it. ‘‘Most dogs aren't affected by eating something they shouldn't. The onset can be delayed or straight away.''
Mr Gregor said the ‘‘take-home message'' was not to take risks.
‘‘You just don't know when a dog will react to the wrong food.''
Dangerous foods
• Chocolate - the darker, the more dangerous
• Sultanas, grapes and grape juice
• Onions and garlic
• Avocado
• Macadamia nuts
- By Rachel Comer
