PET owners have been warned about a “flesh-eating” disease which has killed hundreds of dogs.
Alabama Rot is “very rare” but can be fatal as it blocks and damages the blood vessels in a dog’s skin and kidneys, according to the Kennel Club.
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The life-threatening, incurable disease, also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy), sees dogs develop painful sores on their paws and legs and can often lead to kidney failure.
Most cases are sadly fatal with vet specialists Anderson Moores recording 292 cases since 2012.
Click on the link above to check if there has been a case near you.
Owners have been warned to be vigilant as there has already been 10 confirmed cases around the UK so far this year.
The disease first came to light in the US in the 1980s.
No other animals or humans are affected by it.
While it was initially thought to only affect greyhounds, any breed, age or size can get it.
Alabama Rot is not contagious though, so one dog cannot pass it on to another.
However, several dogs in the same household can contract it at the same time.
As the cause of Alabama Rot is not yet known, it is difficult to diagnose and treat but it has been linked to wet and muddy conditions and there tends to be a rise in cases over the winter and spring months.
While the condition is rare, the Kennel Club warns that cases “seem to be on the increase”.
This though could be either down to more dogs being affected or vets and owners are simply more aware of the condition.
As the cause of the disease is not known, it’s tricky to prevent your pooch from picking it up but experts say:
- keep your dog away from very muddy areas
- wash and dry your dog after a walk if they get wet or muddy.
It is also advisable to check over your dog’s body every day for signs of any ulcers or sores.
If you are worried your dog may have Alabama Rot, the RSPCA recommends taking them to see the vet as soon as possible.
Symptoms include skin sores, visible swelling, red patches or skin defects not caused by a known injury, and reduced appetite, drinking more, vomiting and lethargy.
Signs of Alabama Rot can show up on a dog’s body between one and 10 days after becoming infected.
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Kidney failure can happen straight after sores appear so it’s vital to seek out treatment urgently.
Unfortunately, there are no tests that can be done to confirm Alabama Rot but your vet will examine your dog’s skins and might run some general blood and urine tests to see how well their kidneys are doing.
It might be necessary to run the general tests several times in order to monitor how your dog is doing.
If you dog only has skin ulcers or sores, this is usually treated with topical ointments while if Alabama Rot is suspected, vets will usually give antibiotics.
Sadly, the disease can only be confirmed by taking kidney samples after the dog has died.
Pet owners are always advised to take out insurance to help with vet bills in case of accidents or illness.
You will need to check your policy to see if it covers Alabama Rot.
It is also best to check to see if there is a limit on how much you can claim each year and you might not be fully covered for treatment.
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