New cases of a life-threatening canine ailment have been recorded across the United Kingdom, prompting a warning to dog owners to be “vigilant.”
Two new cases of Alabama rot, a fatal canine disease, were recorded this year, prompting Anderson Moores, a veterinary specialized clinic, to advise dog owners across the country to remain “calm but vigilant.”
It follows the ‘heartbreak’ of a Berkshire couple whose dog died after catching the fatal sickness.
Grace, a Labrador of three years, died after contracting cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), sometimes known as Alabama rot.
Is the virus present in your region? Reports of Alabama rot throughout the United Kingdom in 2022/23
All breeds are at risk, but Labradors, English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Whippets, Flat-Coated Retrievers, Hungarian Vizlas, and Border Collies have been hardest hit.
Grace, a three-year-old Labrador, passed away after contracting cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), or Alabama rot.
What is Alabama rot?
Alabama rot, also known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, emerged in the United States among Greyhounds in the 1980s, although cases in the United Kingdom were not identified until the end of 2012.
Cases of the disease have been documented across the United Kingdom and do not appear to target a specific dog breed, age, sexe, or weight.
Analysis of the data suggests that the sickness is most prevalent in dogs between October and June.
If diagnosed early, kidney disease can be treated, but in four out of five instances, aid arrives too late.
Concerned dog owners are encouraged to keep an eye out for skin sores or swelling on their pet’s legs, since these could be indicators of Alabama rot.
The veterinarian at Anderson Moores, Josh Walker, stated, “We are terribly sorry to announce that Grace succumbed to CRGV.
We have been at the vanguard of CRGV research for nearly a decade and have witnessed the disease’s often-devastating impacts firsthand.
Unfortunately, based on our current understanding of the condition, only about 10 percent of renal failure cases are successfully treated.
If their dog develops inexplicable skin sores, we advise owners across the nation to be calm but cautious and seek guidance from their local veterinarians.
The Labrador’s owner, Simone, said, ‘Grace was like a daughter to us, so it’s difficult to understand that she passed away so abruptly and terribly.
She was just three years old, physically fit, and strong, but this condition is so terrible and everything happens so quickly.
“One morning she was a bit lame, and while brushing and combing her, we discovered a very painful lump on her chest.”
We immediately rushed her to our local veterinarian, who administered painkillers and antibiotics, but the tumor expanded and she began to die rapidly.
Alabama Rot, also known as CRGV, was identified for the first time in the United States in the 1980s and in the United Kingdom in 2012.
It has claimed hundreds of victims and has a 90% fatality rate; yet, veterinarians have not yet discovered a cure.
Exists Alabama rot in your region?
According to Anderson Moores, the following locations in the United Kingdom have reported a case of the disease:
2023:
The town of Romsey, Hampshire
Stanford Dingley, West Berkshire
2022:
Ashstead, County of Surrey
Bolton, Manchester
Emersons Green, Bristol
Godstone, Kent
Kingsbridge, Devon
Lambourn, England
Ledbury, County of Hereford
Plymouth, Cornwall
St Albans is located in Hertfordshire.
Warminster is located in Wiltshire.
Wokingham, Berkshire
Source: alabama-rot.co.uk
In 2017, a Labrador named Lulu contracted the condition and developed skin sores.
Since 2012, there have been 287 new cases of the disease, which has left experts mystified.
»Alabama rot: Veterinarians offer a new warning about a fatal ailment«