FLESH EATING DISEASE IN DOGS IS PUTTING UK PET OWNERS ON HIGH ALERT
A disease which eats the flesh of dogs is ravaging the canines of Britain and has already claimed the lives of 30 beloved pets.
Vets are warning dog owners about the disease known as ‘Alabama rot’, which first appears as skin lesions or sores, before causing liver failure and even death if untreated.
The 30 dogs who have died in the past 18 months were a wide variety of breeds and ages.
Now all dog owners are being put on high-alert to watch out for symptoms of Alabama rot in their pets.
If the disease is spotted and treated early infected dogs can easily make a full recovery.
Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Vets4Pets, told the Mirror: ‘Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.’
He went on to warn owners to look out for lesions on their dogs that appear without injury, and mentioned ‘there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease’.
The disease first came to attention in the USA where it led to the deaths of many greyhounds, however it is now understood to be a danger to all dogs regardless of breed.
Author of article: Arthur Wheaton Source: Metro.co.uk
A disease which eats the flesh of dogs is ravaging the canines of Britain and has already claimed the lives of 30 beloved pets.
DOG OWNERS PUT ON HIGH ALERT AS FLESH-EATING DISEASE ALABAMA ROT CONTINUES TO SWEEP UK
There have been 46 cases of Alabama Rot in the UK since December 2013 and numbers are on the rise.
Dog owners have been told be on high alert as flesh-eating disease Alabama Rot sweeps across Britain.
Vets are warning pet owners to be vigilant as the disease can be fatal unless treated and often results in kidney failure.
Recently we reported how 30 dogs over here have died of the disease, which is usually found in greyhounds. None of the 30 were of that breed.
Symptoms start with skin lesions or sores that appear without injury and the number of cases have quadrupled in the UK in the last two years.
Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Vets4Pets, said: "Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.
"If a dog becomes infected the best outcome will come from early and intensive veterinary care, which has resulted in some dogs successfully recovering.
"The concern among vets in the UK is that unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.
"While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, our preventative methods might help put a stop to it in the UK."
The disease first appeared in the USA in the 1980s but has now spread to 16 English counties, including Kent, London, Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Dorset.
There have been 46 cases of Alabama Rot in the UK since December 2013.
After skin lesions appear there is a 25 per cent chance that the dogs will develop kidney failure.
The vet added: "Any dog owners who think their pet has Alabama Rot symptoms should contact their nearest vet immediately."
The disease first appeared in the USA in the 1980s but has now spread to 16 English counties, including Kent, London, Hampshire, Greater Manchester and Dorset.
There have been 46 cases of Alabama Rot in the UK since December 2013.
After skin lesions appear there is a 25 per cent chance that the dogs will develop kidney failure.
The vet added: "Any dog owners who think their pet has Alabama Rot symptoms should contact their nearest vet immediately."
Alabama rot: What to look out for, what to do
Typically the skin lesions have been below the knee or elbow of the dog, although they are occasionally seen on the face or bottom of the chest or abdomen.
They may present as a focal swelling, a patch of red skin or a defect in the skin (like an ulcer).
Over the subsequent two to ten days the affected dogs have developed clinical signs of kidney failure which can include vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness.
If you are concerned about your dog please speak to your local vet. If your dog is affected, early recognition of the disease and aggressive management is likely to lead to the best outcome.
Source: www.forestry.gov.uk Article by: Sam Blewett. Source: mirror.co.uk Posted on: 09:26, 30 April 2015
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