A GOLDEN retriever had a lucky escape after eating a whole bag of 'toxic' sultanas.

Eating just one sultana, grape or raisin can cause dogs irreversible kidney failure – and even death.

But that did not stop eight-year-old pooch Oliver Louie eating a pound of sultanas his owners had left out on the kitchen worktop after enjoying them with their morning porridge.

Oliver Louie had to be rushed to Beech House Veterinary Centre on Wilderspool Causeway, where he had to have an injection in order to make him sick.

Warrington Guardian:

Vet Emily Guest said: "Just four grapes have been known to kill a 4kg dog, so the risk is real, and it doesn’t matter how big your dog is.

"With Oliver Louie, it was the enormous amount of sultanas he had eaten that was also a concern.

"Oliver Louie was fortunate as his owner knew of the dangers and knew what to do, but in the run up to Christmas it’s about prevention as much as treatment."

Now dog owners are being warned to keep festive treats that contains raisins and sultanas – such as mince pies and Christmas cake – out of reach from their pets.

Warrington Guardian:

Roger Wood, Oliver Louie’s owner, said: "Fortunately I was aware that these products were dangerous, but I’m sure lots of other pet owners don’t know.

"Oliver was really lucky – I knew it was a problem and I knew what to do, but if I hadn’t known and then left it without getting help it could have been a very different story.

"Know what can harm your dog – especially with the food that is around at Christmas time – and keep it out of their way.

"If you think they have eaten something that’s not good for them, don’t wait to call the emergency vet for advice.

"It was just one bag of sultanas we had not noticed before we went out, but it could have been curtains for Oliver.

"I will now always try to be one step ahead and make sure everything is cleared up so there is no temptation in their way."

Warrington Guardian: