Alabama Rot
Alabama Rot, a deadly disease affecting dogs is spreading across the UK!
Cases of the mystery illness have been confirmed in at least 27 counties in England and Wales since 2012, with 14 cases confirmed in 2016 alone (to end April) and possibly two further unconfirmed cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland – the first in these two countries
The cause is still unknown, treatment is at best 30% successful and dog owners need to be wary of the risks to their pets.
Dog owners across the UK are being urged to take extra precautions when out walking their pets this summer and beyond, to help combat the deadly disease, Alabama Rot.
The mysterious illness, which first appeared in the late 1980s affecting greyhounds in America, has been found in at least 27 counties in England and Wales since 2012, with 78 cases confirmed in the UK and 14 being already identified in 2016 alone.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are thought highly likely to have also had cases recently, but both remain unconfirmed.
Now vets are working together, to increase awareness and help find the causes.
“The cause of Alabama Rot, clinically known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), is still unknown and there is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, there is a very useful guide available online to help people understand where in the UK confirmed cases have been found and advice on how to spot signs.
“Any concerned dog owners should visit www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/.”
To help collate correct data for dog owners, Anderson Moores is calling for all UK vets to contact them if they see a dog they suspect has Alabama Rot. Only tests on a kidney from an affected dog (most likely post mortem) will give 100% confirmation of the disease.
There have been a number of cases ‘confirmed’ by vets, but unless we carry out analysis of the affected pet, we will never be able to confirm the disease.
Vets cross the UK, are supporting the research work carried out by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists to help understand the disease, how it can be treated and possibly prevented.
The concern among vets 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% of cases, which is why we’re all encouraging all dog owners to use the online interactive guide to help them understand the clinical signs and confirmed locations of Alabama Rot.
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 distinct 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 dog owners who are worried that their pet might have Alabama Rot should contact their veterinary practice immediately.
This will help build knowledge about the disease and also give a dog the best chance of survival.
Also encourage all vets and owners to work with David and his team at Anderson Moores so we can get a clear picture of confirmed cases in the UK, to help prevent more dogs falling victim to this terrible disease.”
To find out where in the UK cases of Alabama Rot have been confirmed follow this linkwww.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/.
Alabama Rot, a deadly disease affecting dogs is spreading across the UK!
Cases of the mystery illness have been confirmed in at least 27 counties in England and Wales since 2012, with 14 cases confirmed in 2016 alone (to end April) and possibly two further unconfirmed cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland – the first in these two countries
The cause is still unknown, treatment is at best 30% successful and dog owners need to be wary of the risks to their pets.
Dog owners across the UK are being urged to take extra precautions when out walking their pets this summer and beyond, to help combat the deadly disease, Alabama Rot.
The mysterious illness, which first appeared in the late 1980s affecting greyhounds in America, has been found in at least 27 counties in England and Wales since 2012, with 78 cases confirmed in the UK and 14 being already identified in 2016 alone.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are thought highly likely to have also had cases recently, but both remain unconfirmed.
Now vets are working together, to increase awareness and help find the causes.
“The cause of Alabama Rot, clinically known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), is still unknown and there is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, there is a very useful guide available online to help people understand where in the UK confirmed cases have been found and advice on how to spot signs.
“Any concerned dog owners should visit www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/.”
To help collate correct data for dog owners, Anderson Moores is calling for all UK vets to contact them if they see a dog they suspect has Alabama Rot. Only tests on a kidney from an affected dog (most likely post mortem) will give 100% confirmation of the disease.
There have been a number of cases ‘confirmed’ by vets, but unless we carry out analysis of the affected pet, we will never be able to confirm the disease.
Vets cross the UK, are supporting the research work carried out by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists to help understand the disease, how it can be treated and possibly prevented.
The concern among vets 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% of cases, which is why we’re all encouraging all dog owners to use the online interactive guide to help them understand the clinical signs and confirmed locations of Alabama Rot.
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 distinct 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 dog owners who are worried that their pet might have Alabama Rot should contact their veterinary practice immediately.
This will help build knowledge about the disease and also give a dog the best chance of survival.
Also encourage all vets and owners to work with David and his team at Anderson Moores so we can get a clear picture of confirmed cases in the UK, to help prevent more dogs falling victim to this terrible disease.”
To find out where in the UK cases of Alabama Rot have been confirmed follow this linkwww.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/.
