Dog owners urged to beware of killer disease – 90% fatality rate | UK | News
Dog owners have been warned to be careful as new cases of a rare but extremely deadly disease have been recorded in parts of the UK. Alabama Rot, also known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), has caused the deaths of hundreds of dogs in the UK since 2012, with 19 cases detected last year.
This condition damages blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, causing painful skin lesions that can progress to acute kidney failure within a few days. Although rare, the disease has a 90% mortality rate and can affect dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes.
Waggel’s assistant veterinarian, Dr. Aimee Warner says: “Alabama Rot remains rare, but it is a serious condition that every dog owner should be aware of. Cases usually peak between November and May, and we often see more reports after prolonged periods of wet weather where dogs have been walking through muddy woodland areas.”
First identified in greyhounds in the US in the 1970s, the disease was only detected in the UK in 2012; however, more than 300 deaths have been recorded since then.
Despite ongoing research, the exact cause of the Alabama Rot is unknown, but scientists suspect a seasonal trigger linked to muddy forest environments.
It causes blood clots to form in the smallest blood cells in the dog’s body, manifesting as unexplained wounds or ulcers, swelling on the face, mouth or abdomen, localized hair loss and excessive licking in a particular spot.
“The first sign is usually a skin sore that cannot be explained by an injury,” Dr Warner says. “These lesions usually start as red skin or ulcers and most often appear on the lower legs or paws, but can also develop on the face, tongue, or belly.”
Infected dogs may develop kidney failure days after contracting the disease, with symptoms such as severe lethargy or depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, changes in drinking habits, and decreased urination.
While not a waterproof method of prevention, Dr Warner recommends washing mud off your dog’s legs and paws after walks in wet woodland, checking their skin regularly for unexplained sores and seeking immediate veterinary advice for any suspicious lesions.
“The overall risk remains low and thousands of dogs are walked safely in the countryside every day,” he adds. “But awareness is key. Knowing what to look for can make the difference between catching it early and missing critical treatment time.”
