Your questions answered after confirmation of Alabama Rot dog disease in Shropshire
Animal experts at the RSPCA recommend that dog owners should "wash off all mud" from their pets following wet and muddy walks - especially through woodland - if they are concerned about the rare but potentially deadly disease Alabama Rot.
Severn Edge Vets, which has practices and a 24/7 veterinary hospital in Shropshire and the West Midlands, says a case of Alabama Rot has been confirmed in the Cleobury Mortimer area.
Alabama Rot, also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy) is a very rare, potentially life-threatening disease in dogs, causing damage to the blood vessels in the skin and sometimes the kidney.
The RSPCA explains what the disease is, what to look for, and what to do if owners suspect that their pet has the condition. They have a frequently asked questions section on their website.
What is Alabama Rot?
Alabama rot, otherwise known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), is a disease that affects dogs. It damages the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, which causes visible sores on the skin and can lead to severe organ dysfunction and ultimately kidney failure.
What causes Alabama rot?
The cause of the disease is currently unknown, though research is on-going. Since December 2012, a small number of cases have been seen throughout the UK.
