ROT ALERT FOR DOG OWNERS
VETS SAY THERE IS DANGER WALKING PETS IN WET AREAS
DOG lovers are being warned about the dangers of a potentially deadly disease which their pets could pick up from walking in muddy areas.
The Kennel Club has issued a winter warning about Alabama Rot – which, if untreated, is often fatal.
It is thought to affect only dogs, damaging the lining of the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys which results in ulcers appearing on the skin and kidney damage, often leading to death.
The condition, also known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy, or CRGV, is most prevalent between November and May.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “Although the disease is very rare, affecting an extremely low percentage of dogs in the UK, the condition is very serious.
“It is vital that owners understand and recognise the warning signs, especially as time plays a significant part in successfully treating the disease.”
Last December, two whippets, owned by the same person, died from suspected Alabama Rot after they had been on walks in Gorse Lane Fields, Boothorpe, near Swadlincote. The dogs were taken to Hartshorne Veterinary Practice Surgery in Repton Road, and staff then put out a warning to other dog owners. A spokesman for Vets4Pets, which has a branch in Burton, said: “The main concern in the UK is that, unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.
“Treatment is supportive, but is only successful in 20-30 per cent of cases. The first sign that is normally seen is a skin sore that isn’t caused by a known injury.
“Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.
“If a dog becomes affected, the best outcome will probably come from early and intensive veterinary care, which has resulted in some dogs successfully recovering.
“Any owners who are worried that their pet might have Alabama Rot should contact their vet immediately.
“This will give a dog the best chance of survival.”
Any breed can be affected and there have been a total of 92 confirmed cases in the UK and Ireland.
■ Avoid taking your dogs for walks in wooded areas, especially if there has been heavy rain.
■ If they do go anywhere that is muddy, make sure you wash your dog’s paws, legs and underbelly thoroughly when you get home.
No exact cause has been found, which has made developing a vaccine to treat the disease difficult.