Dog owners in Nottingham have been issued an urgent warning about the rise in cases of Alabama Rot, a “flesh-eating” disease that shows no signs of abating. Veterinarian Dr Corinne Wigfall from Petsure has shared her expert advice on how to prevent the disease and identify its symptoms quickly if you suspect your dog may be affected.
Dr Corinne Wigfall explains, “Alabama rot causes clots to form in small blood vessels. It starts as skin lesions and can tragically lead to kidney failure for some dogs. With cases of Alabama rot increasing in the UK, it’s crucial to be aware of the tell-tale signs. The disease can affect any dog, regardless of age or breed.”
She advises dog owners to be cautious about where they walk their pets. Although there is currently no confirmed research on how Alabama rot is contracted, some researchers suggest it may be caused by bacteria like E.coli.
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Others report a link between dogs contracting the disease and having recently been out in muddy woodland areas. To minimize risk, try to avoid walking your dog in wet, humid and muddy environments. If your dog has been rolling around in the woods, make sure you thoroughly clean and dry their coat.
You can check recent reports and avoid the areas suffering the most from Alabama rot. Dr. Wigfall also recommends checking your dog daily. A lack of confirmed knowledge of the disease makes it tricky to give specific prevention advice.
Unfortunately, there’s no vaccination available for Alabama rot.
Tags: Urgent warning dog owners flesheating disease cases spike
