Outbreaks identified in Herefordshire, Greater London and Exeter.
Three new cases of the potentially fatal cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), also known as Alabama rot, have been identified by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists.
The new outbreaks were identified in Herefordshire, Greater London and Exeter, prompting Anderson Moores to issue a warning to dog owners and vets to be on their guard for the disease.
Team leader David Walker, a European specialist in small animal internal medicine and the UK’s foremost authority on the disease, said: “We’re very sad to confirm three new cases of CRGV already in 2021. Unfortunately, we find ourselves at the time of year when cases are most commonly identified.
“As well as these confirmed cases, we are awaiting results on a number of other dogs that have sadly been euthanised with suspected CRGV. It is understandably a worrying time of year for dog owners with regards to CRGV; however, the disease remains rare.
“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.”
CRGV is a serious, often fatal disease of the kidneys. It was first detected in the UK in 2012 and has since been identified in multiple locations across the country, including Gloucestershire, Surrey, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cornwall, Devon and Staffordshire.
The three new cases come off the back of 47 during 2020, 19 cases in 2019 and 18 in 2018. The cause of the disease remains unknown, but investigations are ongoing.
Mr Walker added: “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. 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. Recovery for patients such as Molly is often prolonged but she has continued to do well."
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
