Alabama rot: Vet issues urgent warning after dog dies of fatal illness - any cases in Edinburgh?

The RSPCA has issued a warning for dog owners after a fatal illness killed a labrador.

Vets have issued a fresh warning about the dangers of Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), also known as Alabama Rot. Dog owners in Edinburgh have been warned to keep an extra eye on their pets after the life-threatening disease killed a dog this week.

The warning from Anderson Moores vets comes after a labrador in Berkshire died after being diagnosed with the illness. According to the RSPCA, Alabama Rot damages the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, which causes visible sores on the skin and can lead to severe organ dysfunction and ultimately kidney failure.

James Walker, a vet at Anderson Moores, said: “We’re incredibly sorry to have to confirm Grace was a victim of CRGV. We have been at the forefront of research into CRGV for almost a decade and have witnessed first-hand the often-devastating effects of the disease.

“Treatment largely revolves around management of the sudden onset of kidney failure and, sadly, with our current understanding of the disease, is only successful in around 10% of cases. We’re advising owners across the country to remain calm but vigilant and seek advice from their local vets if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.”

Vets have issued a fresh warning about the dangers of Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), also known as Alabama Rot.

The cause of Alabama Rot is still unknown so experts have difficulty giving tips to avoid cases of the disease. However, they do advise that you wash the mud off your dog especially after walking through woodland areas.

Alabama rot symptoms

There are some key symptoms to look out for which the RSPCA detail on its website. These are two typical signs:

• Skin sores, visible swelling, red patches or skin defects not caused by a known injury. These skin lesions typically appear below the knee or elbow, and occasionally on the face or at the bottom of the chest or abdomen.
• Changes in appetite - reduced appetite, drinking more, vomiting and lethargy are signs of acute kidney injury.

Are there cases of Alabama rot in Edinburgh?

There are currently no cases of Alabama rot in Edinburgh, according to Anderson Moore’s interactive map. The most recent cases were reported in Loanhead in 2016.