Alabama Rot spreads further across UK as more dogs are killed by deadly disease
The mysterious illness has been blamed for four more canine deaths in Britain, bringing the total to 126 and raising fears of a major outbreak
KILLER dog disease Albama Rot is continuing to strike across Britain as the flesh-eating ‘plague’ is blamed for more deaths.
A top vet has warned owners to be vigilant after his surgery treated four dogs with signs of the incurable illness, which has killed 126 pups in the UK since 2012.
If the new suspected cases are confirmed it will mean deaths have already doubled so far this year, just as we enter peak season for the illness.
The disease kills 80 per cent of dogs infected and there is no known cause or cure.
So far this year there have been two confirmed cases, but the four new fatalities in Dorset showed liver and kidney damage consistent with the symptoms of Alabama Rot.
David Scott, from Stalbridge & Marnhull Veterinary Surgery in north Dorset, urged dog owners to call a vet if they spot warning signs, including skin sores, tiredness, loss of appetite and vomiting.
He said: "We can only diagnose Alabama Rot through a post-mortem, but in the suspected cases we have seen the owners have been too upset for a post-mortem.
"However, we have our suspicions. Four fatal cases were quite suspicious while another four non-fatal cases were less likely but still possible.
"It's frustrating that we can't be sure but blood tests showed liver and kidney issues.
"The dogs didn't respond to treatment and became worse and worse. It's heart-breaking to see, just awful."
Alabama Rot, also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy), originated in America among Greyhounds in the 1980s but UK cases have only been reported in the last six years.
The disease causes pooches to vomit and develop skin lesions, which results in kidney failure and in most cases death.
Dr Scott said: "What we don't want is for people to stop taking their dogs out, but we suggest owners wash their dogs, especially after muddy walks.
"Look out for skin lesions, lethargy, thirst, loss of appetite and sickness, and ring the vet if you see any of these symptoms."
Does your dog have Alabama Rot? Know the signs:
The first signs of Alabama rot are lesions or ulcers on the skin, especially on the legs.
The lesions could appear as patches of red skin, or open sores.
They can also be found on the dog’s face and mouth, and on the lower body.
Later symptoms include loss of appetite, tiredness and vomiting as the kidneys shut down.
On average, internal organs start to shut down roughly three days after the sores begin to show.
Experts said 2017 was officially the worst year for cases of Alabama Rot with 37 confirmed deaths, almost double the number of 2016.
Veterinary experts are still struggling to establish a cause or cure for the disease.
Although many of the earlier cases occurred in southern England, in particular the New Forest, there have been dog deaths caused by it in 32 counties across the country.
Britain's leading expert on the condition David Walker, who works at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Hampshire, said: "This is understandably very worrying for dog owners, but we hope the increase in cases is partially due to a higher awareness and understanding of the disease.
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"It is important that dog owners remain calm, but vigilant for signs of the disease, particularly until March, as we are in the peak season for cases.
"The first sign of the disease that is normally seen is a skin sore that is not caused by a known injury.
"Most commonly these sores are found on the lower half of the leg and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.
"While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, any concerned dog owners should visit the website vets4pets.com for advice and a map of confirmed cases."