Deadly Alabama Rot case suspected by local vets
PET owners are urged to look out for symptoms of a deadly disease after a dog died at a Hinckley vets surgery.
The beloved family dog, which had recently exercised in the Sutton Cheney, Bosworth Battlefield area, suddenly declined in health and was treated at Fairfield Veterinary Centre in Hinckley, dying on January 4.
The pet had been examined days before and been found to have normal kidney function but the organs began to fail on the day of his death.
Staff “strongly suspect” his demise was caused by Alabama Rot, formally known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy), and have issued practical advise for dog walkers.
Terry Dunne, Fairfield’s principle veterinary surgeon, said: “We are still awaiting confirmation that it was Alabama Rot but we strongly suspect that is what it was.
“What was peculiar with this case was its change was so dramatic. Within 24 hours it basically crashed very dramatically.
“It can come on very sudden.”
Offering advice on what dog owners can do, Terry said: “The simple practical advice would be to hose your dog down if it gets muddy or wet.
“Since it presents during winter particularly in wet conditions it is advised that you rinse your dog thoroughly after it has been exercised.
“If you see your dog has a skin ulcer that looks peculiar you should seek veterinary advice.”
A warning was also issued over a possible case of the disease in Lickey Hills in Birmingham over the weekend.
Birmingham Dogs Home said it had received a reports of a case of the deadly illness in the area and urged vigilance.
Alabama Rot is a condition that causes damage to a dog’s blood vessels and kidney. It can be hard to identify, diagnose and to treat.
The disease was first identified in greyhounds in Alabama in the 1980s, hence the name, and is much more common in the US than in the UK.
Since 2012, there have been at least 98 confirmed, 22 unconfirmed and 35 suspected cases of the disease across the UK.
The first sign of Alabama Rot is skin sores which have not been caused by a physical injury.
They are most commonly found below the knee or elbow or occasionally on the stomach or the face. Usually, this will cause hair loss and the dog will begin licking the wound.
These sores will be followed - between two and seven days later - with symptoms of kidney failure, such as reduced appetite, fatigue and vomiting.
Dogs are more likely to survive the disease if it is diagnosed early, but it is estimated that treatment is only successful in around 20 to 30 per cent of cases.
The condition is often linked to winter and wet weather, so one piece of advice is to avoid taking your dogs for walks in muddy wooded areas, particularly after a period of heavy rainfall.
If you do take them out in these conditions, wash your dog’s paws and legs thoroughly when you get back from the walk.
One of the most noticeable signs of the disease early in its onset is skin lesions.
This abnormality in the tissue of an organism begins as a slow-healing ulcer.
Owners who spot wounds or lesions to the limbs of their pet, or on their dog’s face, that appear to take a long time to heal, should make a prompt visit to the vet.
Dogs can also appear to become depressed with a loss of appetite and they may start to vomit. This can lead to acute injury to the kidneys.