Dog walkers have been warned to keep a close eye on their pets as new “flesh-eating” disease cases are confirmed in the UK.
Pet owners have been issued an urgent warning about the deadly disease known as Alabama rot which is capable of causing flesh to rot and at its worst also be fatal.
The illness is also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy) and although it’s rare it can cause death in dogs.
The disease was initially identified in the United States during the 1980s and primarily affected greyhounds. But it is now understood to pose a threat to dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes.
The disease presents as damage to blood vessels in the skin and kidneys. Affected dogs often develop skin ulcers – typically on their legs or paws.
Ulcers may also appear on other parts of the body such as the head, muzzle, tongue, flank, and belly, varying in severity from resembling a cut, bruise or sting.
In severe cases, Alabama rot can lead to kidney failure – with symptoms including lethargy, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, increased thirst or decreased urination.
So far there have been confirmed cases in Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the North of England.
The highest number of confirmed cases have been in Greater Manchester, Dorset, Surrey, Devon and the New Forest.
The exact cause of Alabama rot remains unknown, although it appears to be more prevalent during the winter and spring months.
It also seems to particularly affect dogs frequenting muddy woodland areas.
Alice Moore from Castle Vets said: “We have had two cases in the last few weeks. It’s really horrible to have our first case,” reports The Sun.
She added: “It seems to be affecting outdoor dogs and those dogs that have walked in woodlands – they are assuming it is some toxin they are picking up on their foot.
“We are advising people to wash the dogs legs off when they come back in case it is something they are coming back with.”
Reports indicate that multiple dogs within the same household can be affected by the disease, also prompting recommendations from the RSPCA to thoroughly wash off mud after woodland walks.
However the RSPCA has stressed there is no cause for widespread alarm.
The RSPCA says on its website: “The threat is very low, and while there may be an environmental trigger, we can’t confirm that some areas are safer than others.”
