Fish link to flesh eating dog killer
An expert trying to identify the source of a flesh-eating disease that has killed dozens of dogs across the UK has made a potential breakthrough.
Fiona Macdonald believes there is a link between Alabama rot, or CRGV, and a bacteria found in fish that causes similar symptoms.
Dr Macdonald believes aeromonas hydrophi la could also be the cause of the disease dubbed “dogs’ black death”.
She said: “It infects the animal and causes toxins to enter the body.”
The organism can be found in fresh or brackish water, common bodies of water found near popular dog paths.
Dr Macdonald, from Hampshire’s New Forest, where many of the deaths have occurred, added: “Kidney failure is likely to be a result of the toxins rather than direct infection by the organism itself.
“This could explain why the organism has never been isolated in dog kidneys and why it has remained a mystery all this time.”
Alabama rot was f irst found in the US in the 80s.
It was detected in the UK in 2012 and last year killed 37 dogs.
Sarah Thairs’s fox terrier Tegan died after a visit to the New Forest. It has also struck in Dumfries and Galloway and Midlothian.
Dr Macdonald has tested 27 dogs with symptoms but needs more to be done.
She asked owners of infected dogs to email info@ fish-treatment.co.uk