Dog owners warned of flesh-eating Alabama Rot as five new UK cases confirmed

Dog owners warned of flesh-eating Alabama Rot as five new UK cases confirmed
The UK’s leading expert on the disease said cases are most common at this time of year (Picture: Wessex News)

Dog owners have been warned about the outbreak of a terrifying flesh-eating disease.

Alabama Rot affects dogs of all types and ages and thrives in cold, wet wintry weather when the ground is sodden where pets are taken for walks.

Five more dogs have died after contracting the disease in the UK.

Winchester-based vet centre Anderson Moores said two died near Horsham, West Sussex, as well as in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and Hungerford, Berkshire, where there were two more victims.
David Walker, the UK’s leading expert, described the latest deaths as ‘sad’ and warned ‘We are now in the time of year when cases are most common.

‘Further confirmed cases mean it is understandably very worrying for dog owners, however, this disease is still very rare, so we’re advising owners to remain calm but vigilant, and seek advice from their local vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.’

WESSEX NEWS AGENCY Jim Hardy email news@britishnews.co.uk mobile 07501 221880 STORY CATCHLINE: ALABAMA Heartbreak is on the cards after vets confirmed today that there's been a new outbreak of dreaded Alabama Rot which 'eats' the flesh of family pets. Pic shows how it eats the flesh
Symptoms include lethargy and vomiting, with dogs also likely to have lesions or ulcers on their tongues or lower limbs (Picture: Wessex News)
WESSEX NEWS AGENCY Jim Hardy email news@britishnews.co.uk mobile 07501 221880 Another dog has died from Alabama Rot, the disease which has spread heartbreak across Britain since arriving from America seven years ago. The dog's wounds at Highcliff vets
It affects dogs of all types and ages (Picture: Wessex News)

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Since the disease reached Britain from America in 2012, the highest number of deaths have been in Greater Manchester, Dorset and the New Forest in Hampshire. But it’s also been known to strike as far away as Devon, the Lake District, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. News of the latest deaths follow similar fatalities in Gloucestershire and Westbury, Wiltshire.

Vets are desperately searching for a cure for Alabama Rot, which has killed scores of dogs, with the death rate soaring year on year.

Another vet, Dr Ian Hopkins, said ‘The best advice is to continue enjoying exercising your dog but always be mindful of certain symptoms which may indicate a nasty disease such as Alabama Rot. These can include lethargy, vomiting and maybe your dog is drinking more than usual.

‘With Alabama Rot, the dog will often have skin lesions or ulcers – in the mouth, on the tongue and lower limbs including feet are common place.

‘However, the lesions are not always present and in the case we have just dealt with, there were no sign of any lesions at all.

Keep an Eye On Your Dog Around Water (Especially Pools). Not all dogs are great swimmers, and when it comes to pools they can be very dangerous for a dog. Keep an eye on your dog if they’re out in the yard by the pool and make sure your dog knows where the steps in & out of the pool are.

‘It affects all types of dogs of all ages which therefore makes it a matter of concern for all owners.’

London’s Royal Veterinary College say the fatality rate is high, with fewer than one in five dogs surviving. All breeds are at risk, but those which have been affected most include Labradors, English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Whippets, Flatcoated Retrievers, Hungarian Vizlas, and Border Collies.