Urgent warning for dog walkers as cases of Alabama Rot continue to spike across Milton Keynes

An urgent warning about Alabama Rot has been issued to dog walkers as cases of the ‘flesh-eating’ disease continue to spike across Milton Keynes with no signs of slowing down.

Vet Dr Corinne Wigfall at Petsure is offering advice about how to spot symptoms quickly if you think your dog might have picked it up and tips on how to prevent the disease.

She said: “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.” Her tips include:

Be mindful of where you walk your dog

There is currently no confirmed research as to how Alabama rot picked up. Some researchers suggest it may be caused by bacteria like E.coli. Others report a link between dogs getting the disease and having recently been out in muddy woodland areas.

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.

Check your dog daily

A lack of confirmed knowledge of the disease makes it tricky to give specific prevention advice. Sadly, there’s no vaccination available for Alabama rot.

Make sure to check your pup daily for any lesions or bumps. Look for raised, circular sores and ulcers on the skin, as these are the main symptoms. Your dog’s face, legs, and paws are the most commonly affected body parts, so give those a thorough check. They might have a dark centre and bruises, so watch out for these too.

Watch your dog’s behaviour

The earlier you catch wind of symptoms, the better. Other signs to watch out for are lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, increased urination, and, rarely, bodily stiffness. Get your dog checked by your vet if they’re acting differently or you spot something unusual.

Get treatment

If you think your dog might have Alabama rot, or you’ve noticed any of the above symptoms, take your pup to the vet straight away. If Alabama rot isn’t treated as soon as possible, it could reach the kidneys within a few days of skin lesions appearing.

The vet will ask questions about the symptoms you’ve noticed, inspect the wounds, and take blood or urine samples. They may give your dog antibiotics to stop or treat an infection in the wounds. If the vet is concerned about possible kidney damage, intravenous fluids will be started straight away to help protect the kidneys. This means your pooch will need to stay at the veterinary clinic for treatment.

The UK has now seen 324 confirmed cases in total with 15 cases so far in 2024.

Click here for further information o Petsure.