Danger for dogs on muddy walks

DOG owners should avoid walking their pets in muddy areas, they have been advised, owing to a rise in cases of the mystery killer disease called Alabama rot.

Instances of the illness, which kills 80 per cent of affected animals, have increased year-on-year since it arrived in the UK in 2012.

There were just six cases in 2012, growing to 19 in 2016 and 40 in 2017, and this year looks likely to set a new record, with 29 cases confirmed already. The disease has baffled vets, and is often not spotted until it is too late and the dog is already dying, as it presents itself initially as relatively harmless cuts and sores on the leg.

David Walker, from Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, said diagnosis could not be confirmed until the disease had spread to the kidneys.

He said: “Unfortunately, Alabama rot cannot currently be diagnosed on the basis of blood tests.

“A higher level of suspicion for the disease may arise from analysis of a skin lesion sample, however, at the moment we can only provide 100 per cent

confirmation of the disease following analysis of kidney tissue. This tissue is usually obtained after an animal has died, due to the risks associated with kidney sampling in unwell dogs.”

Pet owners have been advised to wash their dogs if they walk in mud, as it is suspected the disease is picked up in muddy areas. However, this has not been proven and experts still do not know how the disease is spread.

The Dogs Trust said: “Where possible, stick to dry paths and keep your dog out of muddy or wet areas; wash off any mud after your walk so you can check for any lesions or wounds and if you spot any, go to your vet.”

Caroline Allen, the RSPCA’s veterinary director, said: “The cause of Alabama rot is unknown and little is known about it. This makes it very difficult to say why there have been a number of cases in recent months.”

Londoner Clare Brown told The Sunday Telegraph her vet did not realise Miko, her poodle cross, had the disease until it was too late. She said: “He had a cut on his paw, but he didn’t have any obvious injuries. The vet thought he just had a cut and put a stitch in it.

“He just went downhill every day, really. They did tests and his kidney tests were abnormal. Then it crossed their mind days later it could be Alabama rot. They did talk about transferring to the vet specialist but by then there wasn’t any chance of recovery so we just put him to sleep. He was nearly four. He was a young, healthy dog.”

The first Alabama Rot Conference was held last year as studies progress.