Dog nearly dies after eating owner’s hot cross bun

When Paul turned to get the butter, Hattie snatched the bun off the worktop

Hattie, a Bernese Mountain Dog, was rushed to Vets Now in Witham, Essex, after her owner, Paul Bechwith, feared the worst "having seen a family member almost lose her dog after eating raisins", a blog on the Vets Now website states.

The puppy wolfed down the treat before Paul could stop her.

Raisins, currants and sultanas in the sweet treats are highly toxic to dogs and eating them can lead to kidney failure and even death, the blog stated. It also noted that vet clinics are seeing "an alarming number of raisin-related admissions".

Paul is backing the clinic's call to keep hot cross buns well away from pets.

Hattie was just five months old when the lure of the bun became too much last Easter.

Paul recalled: “She hadn’t really taken things before, but I left my hot cross bun on the worktop to get the butter and when I turned back it was gone.

“I hadn’t realised how high she could reach and when I saw it was in her mouth, I tried to get it but it was gone in two bites.

“I knew how dangerous it could be as one of my niece’s dogs ate some raisins a couple of years back and it was touch and go whether it was going to live.

“That was partly because it hadn’t been spotted quickly, so I was thinking the worst and I knew I had to act fast. When I phoned the vet, we were told we didn’t have long and to get her in straight away.”

Hattie was examined immediately and because Paul got her to the vet within half an hour of eating the bun, they were able to give her an injection to make her sick, bringing up the treat, and minimising the risks.

Dave Leicester, Vets Now’s head of telehealth, explained the risks in the blog: “All grapes, raisins, currants and sultanas can be poisonous to dogs, and potentially poisonous to cats, and the dried versions of the fruits are more frequently associated with severe symptoms.

"Recent research has suggested that it may be tartaric acid that causes the toxic effect. More research is needed before we can confidently provide a toxic dose, not least because the tartaric acid content of grapes and raisins is highly variable. Just one grape, raisin, currant or sultana can be toxic so real caution should be taken with foods that contain them.”

Paul was able to take Hattie home the same evening and despite feeling "pretty sorry for herself" when she came out she was "back to herself the following day".

“There’s absolutely no way we’ll be having hot cross buns anywhere within reach and I’d definitely advise other owners to be really careful.”

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