Another dog dies from Alabama Rot after a walk
MYSTERIOUS PAW WOUND LED TO DEATH OF SHIH TZU PARIS
VETS have confirmed another fatal case of the deadly dog disease Alabama Rot in Greater Manchester.
Four-year-old Shih Tzu Paris developed a mysterious paw wound days after a walk in Moses Gate Country Park in Farnworth, Bolton.
Within a week, it had become inflamed and swollen, and the dog became sick and wouldn’t eat.
Owner Shannon Wilson, 23, took Paris to the PDSA Pet Hospital in Stretford. Blood tests revealed she had kidney failure. Despite vets’ best efforts, Paris deteriorated quickly and could not be saved. She was put to sleep two weeks after first showing symptoms of the disease.
Shannon said: “We are bereft after losing Paris. We couldn’t have had a more loving dog. She deteriorated so quickly, it was incredibly frightening to see. We had no idea what the symptoms were and I’d never even heard of Alabama Rot so it’s been a complete shock to all the family.
“I want to warn other pet owners of the dangers of this disease and to take extra care when out walking. Paris was only four.”
Alabama Rot is a potentially fatal disease which damages dogs’ blood vessels, cutting off blood supply to areas of the skin – and sometimes the internal organs.
The condition causes skin sores and can lead to kidney failure.
There have been four cases of Alabama Rot reported in Greater Manchester since January – in Bolton, Sale and Salford. Since 2014, there have been 21 cases of Alabama Rot in the region, according to the annual ‘Vet Report’ study. Both the PDSA and Dog’s Trust have issued warnings to dog owners.
PDSA vet Emma Deards said: “Despite extensive research in this area, vets are still not sure what causes the disease and how to prevent it. Following this confirmed diagnosis of Alabama Rot in Manchester, vets and owners are understandably concerned. Washing any mud off your dog after a wet or muddy walk may be of benefit but this has yet to be proven as an effective method of prevention.
“The important thing for owners to do is check their dogs after every walk for any unexplained redness or sores on the skin, particularly on their paws, legs, face, mouth or tongue. In many cases, the cause of these sores will not be Alabama Rot, but it’s important for a vet to examine your dog and rule it out. Not all dogs with Alabama Rot develop kidney failure but it’s vital to monitor suspected cases closely so we can spot and treat the signs early to give pets the best chance of survival.”