Pet owners warned about fatal dog disease outbreak in Scotland

Dog owners are being warned to be vigilant after another case of the Alabama Rot disease was confirmed this week.

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Eleven outbreaks of the disease have been confirmed across the UK already this year, the latest being in near Warwick, in the West Midlands of England.

The case was reported in Claverdon, near Warwick, and Mark Taylor, clinical director at Avonvale Veterinary Centres, has urged dog owners to be aware of symptoms, which can include sudden swelling or soreness on the skin.

He said: “The case... is concerning and I would advise owners to be on their guard.

Early symptoms include sores and skin lesions, typically below the knee or elbow, which are not wounds from an injury.

“The sores show as a swelling, a patch of red skin or a defect such as an ulcer.

“From then, affected dogs can develop signs of kidney failure which can include vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness.

“Early recognition of the disease is key. Without knowing the trigger for the disease it’s impossible to give specific advice but I would urge dog owners to bring take their pets to be checked after any sudden onset of skin lesions, especially if the dog is also unwell.”

Alabama Rot, which first appeared in the late 1980s affecting greyhounds in America.

The cause of the disease, clinically known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) is still unknown.

Last year there were a handful of cases across Scotland and dog owners have once again been urged to look out for any symptoms.

The first Alabama Rot conference will be held in May, with scientists from human medicine, alongside vets from academia and private practice, teaming up to discuss ways to learn more about the disease.