The Worrying Increase In Dogs Dying From Alabama Rot
New research by the Veterinary Record Journal has reveled that 50 dogs in the UK have died from Alabama Rot disease since late 2012. So what are the symptoms that you need to watch out for?
Alabama Rot is a rare disease which attacks blood vessels in the skin and kidneys. It is know to have affected dogs in the US since the 1980s but was unknown in the UK until 2012.
Intial cases of the disease were reported from the New Forest in Hampshire with further outbreaks occuring in Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, Dorset, Shropshire, Surrey, Cornwall, Worcestershire, County Durham and Monmouthshire. Researchers identified 30 possible cases of Alabama Rot, including in five English springer spaniels, four flat-coated retrievers and two border collies. But it is still not know wher it came from or how it started.
The main symptom to watch out for is skin lesions when your dog hasn't obviously been cut on something. Other symptoms are tiredness, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever.
The scientists are still investigating whether the disease was caused by environmental factors such as a bacteria or virus, or whether the problem was genetic. They are comparing it to a similar human disease of the kidneys, called Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome, which is genetic but can be caused by exposure to certain medications, to see whether it can offer any clues.
Researchers said acute kidney injury in the dogs that died was caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the organs. They concluded it was unclear whether this was an emerging disease or one that was previously present but unrecognised. The report states: "Continued detailed evaluation will enhance the understanding of the disease and will hopefully help to identify possible triggers."
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