Alabama Rot reported in Alresford, Hampshire

Dog owners are being urged to remain vigilant as 12 cases of 'Alabama Rot' have been reported this year.

Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester leads research into the illness, scientifically know as renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV).

Lesions from Alabama Rot. Photos: Anderson Moores

Experts have now confirmed the new cases, taking the total since January 1 to 12, more than 25 per cent of the entire number recorded in 2020.

The cases have occurred in Alresford and Basingstoke, Maidenhead and Reading, Nuthall, Goring, and Beddau, Rhondda Cynon Taff in Wales.

David Walker, RCVS and EBVS European specialist in small animal internal medicine, leads the team at Anderson Moores.

Lesions from Alabama Rot. Photos: Anderson Moores

He said: "We’re very sad to confirm 12 new cases of CRGV already in 2021. We are also awaiting results of further suspected cases. Unfortunately, we find ourselves at the time of year when cases are most commonly identified.

“It is understandably a worrying time of year for dog owners with regard to CRGV; however, the disease remains rare.

“The disease seems to appear across many counties at this time of year. January and February are typically our highest case number months and sadly, this year is no different.

“We’re advising dog owners across the country to remain calm but vigilant and seek advice from their local vets if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.”

The disease, which originally appeared in the late 1980s, was first detected in the UK in 2012. It affects the kidneys and has a 90 per cent mortality rate.

Lesions from Alabama Rot. Photos: Anderson Moores

Anderson Moores has been leading research into the devastating disease since its introduction to the UK and is collating information on all cases and reports of confirmed cases across the country.

It revealed that, in total, the UK has now seen 263 confirmed cases, including 12 since the turn of the year.

Mr Walker added: “If a dog becomes affected by CRGV, the best chance of recovery probably lies with early and intensive veterinary care which may be best provided at a specialist facility such as Anderson Moores.

“Treatment primarily revolves around intensive management of the acute kidney injury and is sadly only successful in around 10 per cent of cases.

“However, the team here at Anderson Moores successfully treated a suspected case of CRGV in a Labrador Retriever. Molly was referred to our internal medicine team just before Christmas due to limb swelling and a deep, painful ulcerative lesion on one of her legs.

Lesions from Alabama Rot. Photos: Anderson Moores

“Following four days’ intensive treatment, her condition started to improve and we began to cautiously hope she would survive the disease.

“Molly continued to slowly improve and, after two nerve-wracking weeks, she was discharged to continue her recovery at home."