Alabama Rot in dogs<\/span> is a disease that\u2019s appeared in the UK, also known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV).<\/span><\/p>\n It was first described in Greyhounds in Alabama, USA in the 1980s, which is where the term <\/span>Alabama Rot<\/span> was coined. The disease we are now seeing in the UK is very similar, if not the same condition. <\/span><\/p>\n The medical name is Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV). This literally describes what happens in the body when the disease takes hold. <\/span><\/p>\n \u2018Cutaneous\u2019 refers to the skin and \u2018Renal Glomerular\u2019 describes the filtering parts of the kidneys. \u2018Vasculopathy\u2019 means a disease of the blood vessels. So the condition refers to damage and clotting in the blood vessels of the skin and kidneys primarily. <\/span><\/p>\n Clotting of blood in the vessels of the skin can cause sudden and severe patches of red ulceration. The damage to the blood supply in the kidneys causes kidney failure, and in the majority of dogs this is fatal.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a relatively recent disease affecting dogs in the UK. The first cases were diagnosed in 2012 and new cases have been reported each year since.<\/span><\/p>\n As of January 2019, a total of 177 confirmed cases have been reported, the equivalent of 25 dogs per year. It\u2019s important to realise that despite it being a very alarming disease, it\u2019s still extremely rare considering there are over 9 million dogs in the UK. <\/span><\/p>\n The exact cause of Alabama Rot is unknown. Investigations are ongoing to work this out. They’re looking at seasonal and geographical patterns, and whether certain dog breeds, ages or lifestyles are affected. More cases so far have been diagnosed in Winter or Spring than in Summer and Autumn. <\/span><\/p>\n There was originally a suspicion an environmental cause may be to blame, particularly in wet, muddy woodland areas, but this hasn\u2019t been proven. <\/span><\/p>\n The initial <\/span>Alabama Rot symptoms<\/span> range from stiffness and soreness of the limbs, progressing to red, sore and inflamed ulcers. These are most often on the legs and feet, but sometimes the face, muzzle or inside the mouth can show ulcers too. Very occasionally ulcers can appear elsewhere on the body. <\/span><\/p>\n As the disease progresses the kidneys start to fail, leading to lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite and increased thirst. Ultimately this is fatal without treatment. <\/span><\/p>\n Some dogs appear to just develop the skin lesions and recover without progressing to kidney issues, if treated early. Plus many other types of skin lesion can look like CRGV so the best advice is to get a vet to check any suspicious new skin abnormalities. <\/span><\/p>\n The key to successful <\/span>Alabama Rot treatment<\/span> is early detection and aggressive therapy by an experienced veterinary team. Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists (https:\/\/www.andersonmoores.com) are the most successful team in treating Alabama Rot in the UK at present. <\/span><\/p>\nWhy is it called that?<\/b><\/h2>\n
When did it become a UK problem?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How many dogs have been affected?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What causes Alabama Rot?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What symptoms should I look out for?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How is it treated?<\/b><\/h2>\n