Alabama Rot Warning for Dogs walking on Cannock Chase

There have been 2 confirmed cases of CRGV in the past weeks at Straitons vets in Penkridge with one other suspected case.

In both of the confirmed cases, the dogs had been walked regularly on Cannock Chase (Marquis Drive/Pye Green areas), however, this may be a coincidence?

From the information given below; you will see there is very little known of this disease and it’s origins, however, we would stress the advice given to reduce the incidence of the disease is followed, wherever you walk your dog this winter but ESPECIALLY following a woodland walk:

ALWAYS wash off mud from the legs, chest & tummy areas after your walk. DRY the areas thoroughly & WASH the towel after every use. BE VIGILANT! Check your dogs legs/tummy/mouth thoroughly every day. Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure.

Idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, otherwise known as CRGV or Alabama rot is a disease that has been known about since the late 1980’s. It was initially thought to only affect Greyhounds and the dogs reported with the disease in the USA presented with kidney failure and/or skin lesions. The cause of the disease remains unknown.

Since December 2012 a number of suspected cases have been seen in the United Kingdom. Some of these were from the New Forest. However, cases have also been identified in other counties throughout the UK.

The skin lesions are a symptom of the disease rather than being traumatic wounds from an injury. Typically the skin lesions have been below the knee or elbow. They may present as a focal swelling, a patch of red skin or a defect in the skin (like an ulcer). Over the subsequent two to seven days the affected dogs have developed clinical signs of kidney failure which can include vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness.

It is important to remember that only a very small number of dogs have been affected. Most skin lesions will not be caused by this disease and most cases of kidney failure will have another cause. If your dog is affected, early recognition of the disease and aggressive management is likely to lead to the best outcome. Without knowing the trigger for the disease it is impossible to give specific advice about walking your dog and it is again important to stress that the case numbers are very low and that this disease is not isolated to Cannock Chase. The disease does not appear to pass from dog to dog.

If you are concerned about your dog please speak to your local vet.

Further information can be found on this link