DOG owners have been urged to take care when walking their pets after two more cases of Alabama Rot were confirmed in the UK.

The disease has killed five dogs since the start of the year in the country, with the latest cases occurring in Bristol and Kingston, Devon.

Alabama Rot – also known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) - was first found in the UK in 2012 and has mostly been reported by pet owners who walk their dogs in the countryside.

The disease has a mortality rate of 90 per cent. 

Most cases are reported during winter and spring when the weather is typically colder and wetter.

According to Vets4Pets, Alabama Rot is “a doggy disease of unknown cause that affects all breeds and doesn’t discriminate in terms of age or weight”.

It is believed the disease can be picked up on dogs' paws and legs on muddy walks - so owners are urged to wash mud off their dogs.

The Vets4Pets website adds: “Unfortunately, if not spotted early, it can lead to sudden and potentially fatal kidney failure.”

Somerset County Gazette: It is thought the disease is picked up on muddy walks. Picture: PixabayIt is thought the disease is picked up on muddy walks. Picture: Pixabay

The signs of Alabama Rot include skin lesions, sore skin, and outward signs of kidney failure (including vomiting, reduced hunger, and unusual tiredness).

There is no known way of preventing dogs from contracting Alabama Rot and there “have been cases of closely associated dogs becoming affected”.

How many cases have there been in Somerset?

There have been ten confirmed cases of Alabama Rot in Somerset, according to a Vets4Pets map.

Dogs from Bridgwater, Brushford, Crowcrombe, Frome, Martock, Taunton, and West Coker have been affected by the disease.

If ‘areas walked’ is not listed, it means the category is marked as ‘unknown’ on the map.

  • Bridgwater: August 2018
  • Bridgwater: January 2020
  • Brushford: March 2020
  • Crowcombe: February 2018
  • Frome: February 2018
  • Martock: April 2014
  • Minehead: November 2018. Areas walked: West Porlock Woods, Minehead, and Burnham (Berkshire)
  • Taunton: March 2014
  • Taunton: January 2018. Areas walked: Longrun Meadow (Taunton), Bishops Hull Playing Fields (Taunton), Quantock Hills, Blackdown Hills, Kilve Beach
  • West Coker: January 2018

For more information about Alabama Rot, visit the Vets4Pets website or www.alabama-rot.co.uk.