Warning To Dog Owners-Alabama Rot Disease
Warning to dog owners as several cases of deadly Alabama Rot is confirmed!
Alabama Rot, also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy) is an increasingly common disease in dogs.
It causes damage to blood vessels of the skin, and also to the kidneys, and dogs with the disease can suffer from skin ulcers, acute kidney failure and even death.
Two new cases of the deadly dog disease have now been confirmed, including the first ever in Essex.
The cases were confirmed by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists with one in Manningtree and the other recorded in Ivybridge, Devon.
In total the UK has now seen 188 confirmed cases across 39 counties since 2012, with 52 cases in 2018 and 13 in 2019 so far.
The advice to dog owners is that, while the disease is still very rare, vets are still warning dog owners to remain calm but vigilant.
Owners are advised to seek advice from their local vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.
What steps should I take to protect my dog?
While there isn’t a known cause of the disease, there are ways to give your dog the best possible chance of avoiding Alabama Rot:
* Know the warning signs – This is key to treating the disease. If caught early then your vet can evaluate if your dog has contracted CRGV.
* Wash off woodland mud – The majority of cases are reported after dogs are taken for walks in muddy, woodland areas. Make sure you wash your dog thoroughly to ensure all woodland mud has been removed following a walk.
* Check for symptoms – Always be on the look out for the common symptoms, and if you’re in any doubt call the vet.
