Alabama Rot – A dog walkers guide in Molesey

January 18, 2023

Alabama Rot, also known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), is a rare, serious, and potentially life-threatening condition that affects dogs. It blocks and damages the blood vessels in a dog’s skin and kidneys and is characterized by skin lesions and kidney failure and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

Call us if you spot the signs

Although Alabama Rot is very rare, The UK has seen 290 confirmed cases in total, with 11 cases in 2022, so it’s worth checking your dog regularly for symptoms. Don’t hesitate to contact our veterinary team at Molesey Vets if you need more information.

What causes Alabama Rot in dogs?

The exact cause of Alabama Rot is still not fully understood, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of environmental factors and genetic predisposition. The condition has been reported in dogs of all breeds and ages, but it is most commonly seen in middle-aged dogs.

Researchers believe that wet, muddy conditions may somehow be linked to what causes Alabama Rot. Many of the dogs that died from it had been on muddy woodland walks during winter and spring months just before becoming ill.

How to spot Alabama Rot

The first sign of Alabama Rot is typically the development of skin lesions, which can appear as red patches, ulcers, or sores on the dog’s legs, paws, face, or mouth. These lesions are often painful and may cause the dog to lick or chew at the affected area. In some cases, the lesions can lead to infection or tissue death.

If left untreated, the lesions can progress to kidney failure, which is often fatal.

Symptoms of kidney failure in dogs include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and increased thirst and urination.

Treatment

If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from Alabama Rot, it is important to get in touch with us immediately. Our veterinary team will perform a physical examination and may recommend additional testing, such as blood work and urine analysis, to diagnose the condition.

Treatment for Alabama Rot will depend on the severity of the condition and the extent of kidney damage. In some cases, treatment may involve medications to control pain and inflammation, as well as fluids to support kidney function. In more severe cases, hospitalisation and intensive treatment may be necessary.

Can you prevent it?

When Alabama Rot was first reported, most cases were found in the New Forest area. However, since then, cases have been reported widely across the UK.

While there is no known cure for Alabama Rot, there are steps you can take to reduce your dog’s risk of developing the condition. These include avoiding areas with known cases of Alabama Rot, keeping your dog up to date on their vaccinations, and regularly checking for signs of skin lesions.

You should also get into the habit of washing your dog’s paws, underbelly, nose, and anywhere else that needs it, if you have been for a muddy walk.

In conclusion, Alabama Rot is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that affects dogs. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms, and to seek care at our veterinary practice in Molesey  if you suspect that your dog may be affected.

By taking steps to reduce your dog’s risk and providing prompt treatment, you can help to improve your dog’s chances of a successful recovery.

Call us if you spot the signs on 0208 979 1384

Strictly Necessary

These cookies are required for our website to operate and include items such as whether or not to display this pop-up box or your session when logging in to the website. These cookies cannot be disabled.

Performance

We use 3rd party services such as Google Analytics to measure the performance of our website. This helps us tailor the site content to our visitors needs.

Functional

From time to time, we may use cookies to store key pieces of information to make our site easier for you to use. Examples of this are remembering selected form options to speed up future uses of them. These cookies are not necessary for the site to work, but may enhance the browsing experience.

Targeting

We may use advertising services that include tracking beacons to allow us to target our visitors with specific adverts on other platforms such as search or social media. These cookies are not required but may improve the services we offer and promote.

Change Settings

Welcome. You can control how we use cookies and 3rd party services below

Change Settings Accept
Learn how we use cookies