Jennifer's Sharebook 

From: info@globaljusticeecology.org <info@globaljusticeecology.org>
Subject: [ecoglobe]
To: ecoglobalization@lists.riseup.net
Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010, 11:35 AM

If you have a dog ... PLEASE read

this and send it on.  If you don't

have a dog, please pass along

to friends who do.   
 
Written by: 
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic 
Danville , OH

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

that ate half a canister of raisins sometime

between 7:30 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 that 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 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 or grapes could

be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs grapes

or raisins as treats including our ex-handler's. Any

exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

Onions, chocolate, cocoa, avocadoes and macadamia nuts can

be fatal, too.

Even if you don't have a dog, you might have friends

who do. This is worth passing on to them.
 
Confirmation from Snopes about the above .....

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins

Just a bit of interesting info on poverty in the United States.....

http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2010/0120_poverty_kneebone.aspx?rssid=metro&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BrookingsRSS%2Fprograms%2Fmetro+(Brookings%3A+Programs+-+Metropolitan+Policy+Program)

I thought this was a good idea for celebrating Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-beliefs1-2010feb01,0,2427054.story

Jan 29, 2010

Daily Republic
1250 Texas Street
PO Box 47
Fairfield, California 94533-5748

Dear Daily Republic,

A proposed ballot initiative would suspend the California Global
Warming Solutions Act, AB 32. This pro-pollution measure is extremely
short-sighted and would harm California's economy and atmosphere.

If global warming continues unchecked, jobs will vanish as our water
supplies shrink drastically, levees fail and flooding increases; storm
damage and water shortages will reduce energy supply while air
conditioning demand soars. Climate-induced damage to California's
energy sector will cost us at least $2.7 billion in a low-warming
scenario, and could rise to as much as $6.3 billion if we do nothing.

Halting our state's efforts to reduce greenhouse pollution would create
an uncertain business environment for thousands of California employers
who have played by the rules by investing in clean technology, setting
up training programs, and retooling equipment. Since AB 32 was signed
into law, venture capital investment has poured into California. Green
jobs grew at a five percent clip even while total employment was
falling.

California can have both a cleaner atmosphere and a healthier economy.
Economic studies show a net benefit to reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. We cannot afford to turn our backs on a greener, more
prosperous future.

Sincerely,

Ms. Jennifer Suzanne Martino

Eco- I was trying to be sincere in saying that I thought your soul was that of a good person who does a lot for others, I am sorry if you misinterpretated and I apologize I wasn´t clearer than. I cannot imagine what I wrote that offended but it was to praise! Sorry again!