A FESTIVE warning has been issued to dog owners after a golden retriever ate an entire bag of sultanas.

Eight-year-old Oliver Louie was treated by the team from Acorn Veterinary Centre in West Kirby after gobbling up a large bag of sultanas - which are toxic to dogs.

Vet Emily Guest is now warning owners to be extra vigilant with Christmas treats lying around this season.

Although not all fogs are susceptible to sultana, raisin or grape poisoning it is impossible to know which may be affected.

She told the Globe: "Just four grapes have been known to kill a four-kilo dog so the risk is real.

“And it doesn’t matter how big your dog is, large or small.

“With Oliver Louie it was the enormous amount of sultanas he had eaten that was also a concern. First we gave him an injection to make him sick.

“Then we gave him activated charcoal to bind with any toxins that may have been released in the gut.

"This prevents any sultanas which have not been thrown up from being absorbed as they make their way through his gut.

"We then monitored him for a few days to make sure all was well with his kidneys and he was then discharged, with no ill effects.

“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.

“Grapes, sultanas, raisins, chocolate, onions, garlic, Ibuprofen - these are all things you may have around the home over the festive period that can be poisonous to your pet.

“Keep them out of harm’s way and if you suspect your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t, don’t wait but contact your local veterinary centre as soon as you can for advice.”

Oliver Louie's owner Roger Wood, 59, was aware of the potentially fatal consequences of his dog eating sultanas and new he had to get urgent help.

After receiving immediate help from Emily and her team Oliver Louie has now been given a clean bill of health.

Roger said: “Fortunately, I was aware that these products were dangerous but I’m sure lots of other pet owners don’t know.

"Many of the people I have spoken to since who own a dog said they didn’t realise they were poisonous.

“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.

"And if you think they have eaten something that’s not good for them, don’t wait but 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!”