Owners urged to check their dogs for skin lesions
Vets in the South West are urging dog owners to be on the lookout for signs of Alabama rot after a new case was confirmed in Dorchester.
Writing on its Facebook page, Girling and Bowditch vets report that they have a confirmed case of the disease in the West Chelborough area.
Alabama rot is relatively new to the UK and has been confirmed in a total of 25 counties since 2012. In December, veterinary specialists Anderson Moores confirmed three new cases in Cumbria, Monmouthshire and Devon.
Following its discovery, Girling and Bowditch vets are urging dog owners to check their dogs for skin lesions. While the cause of Alabama rot is still unknown, their advice is to wash down dogs legs and stomachs after each walk.
‘As far we are aware it cannot be passed from one dog to another,’ they write.
In December, the BVA also issued advice to dog owners urging them to contact their local vet if they have any concerns.
BVA president Gudrun Ravetz called on owners to make sure they are aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, which include unexplained redness, sores or swelling of the skin.
“Dog owners in areas of the UK where Alabama Rot has been detected will understandably feel anxious about the reported cases, but the risk is low with only a small proportion of dogs in these areas having been affected,” she said.
Alabama rot is caused by damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney, leading to ulceration and, in some cases, kidney failure.
Together with Vets4Pets, Anderson mores Veterinary Specialists are continuing their work to find the cause of the outbreak.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
