Should I be Worried About Alabama Rot?
Recent news reports (2024) have confirmed cases of Alabama rot are on the increase again this year. Cases of the disease usually arise in the Spring and Winter months, but what are they symptoms and should we be worried about Alabama rot in pet dogs? Read our Holidays4Dogs article to find out more.
Alabama rot – (Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy – CRGV) – is, thankfully, a rare disease in dogs. However, it can potentially be a fatal disease and currently, it is not understood what causes the disease.
What is Alabama rot?
The disease first appeared in the U.S. in the 1980’s and at the time, it was only thought to affect Greyhounds.
However, in 2012 CRGV was recognised in the U.K. Since then there have been many reports of the disease across many counties. The UK has seen 15 confirmed cases so far in 2024, with 324 cases confirmed in total since 2012.
What effect does the disease have on the body?
The disease can cause damage to the blood vessels of the skin and kidneys. This happens because very small blood clots block the blood vessels which can then cause damage to the affected organ. Skin can develop ulcers and damage to the kidneys can result in kidney failure.
What causes Alabama rot?
At the moment, it is not known what causes this disease. Although there is speculation that the environment could be a factor, this has not been proven. Potentially there could be some correlation between environmental temperature and rainfall, which is why many cases seem to appear between the months of November and May.
In addition, cases of CRGV, often become apparent in dogs that have been walking in woodland areas in Spring and Winter. Again, this is an observation and more research is needed, to clearly establish the causes of Alabama rot in dogs. Because the disease is so rare, it makes research harder to carry out. You can find out more about research potential here.
Is my dog likely to develop Alabama rot?
Any breed of dog can be affected by the disease, but the risks of serious complications such as skin lesions and kidney failure – while serious – remain low.
Is there anywhere I should avoid walking my dog?
Cases of CRGV have been reported across many counties in the UK. Because very little is known about why the disease occurs, it is difficult to advise where dogs should, or shouldn’t be walked. Although environmental factors are suspected to be associated with the disease , this has never been proven. Therefore, there are no solid recommendations that can be provided to prevent the disease from occurring. However, some experts recommend washing any mud off your dog after a winter walk.
What should I do if I suspect my dog has Alabama rot?
It is unlikely your dog has CRGV, but if you are worried and you have heard of cases locally – always seek veterinary opinion. There are many other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
If your dog does have the disease and it has not affected the kidneys, the outlook is very good and the dog should make a full recovery. If the kidneys have been damaged, the prognosis is less good.
