Alabama rot: what is it, is it harmful to dogs, symptoms and are there any cases in London?

Alabama rot, a deadly disease for dogs, is on the rise in the UK, with vets issuing warnings to dog owners to keep an eye out for symptoms. The warning comes after a labrador died  in Berkshire after contracting the disease.

Alabama Rot was first found in the UK in 2012 and cases have mostly been reported by pet owners who walk their dogs in the countryside. Most cases of the disease are reported during winter and spring when the weather is typically colder and wetter, and it is generally much rarer in the summer months.

Around 300 cases of Alabama rot have been reported in the UK since 2012, with around 90% of infected pups dying from the awful disease. Due to the rise in cases of Alabama rot over the years, veterinary specialists Anderson Moores has created a map to keep track of all the Alabama rot cases across the UK.

But what is Alabama rot and are there any cases in London? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is Alabama rot?

Alabama rot, which is also known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), is a disease that affects dogs. As the disease takes over, it damages the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, causing visible sores on the skin and often leading to organ dysfunction and kidney failure.

Greyhounds were the first dog breed to get the disease, with the first case reported in the 1980s in US state, Alabama.  Now, all dogs are at risk of catching the disease, with scientists uncertain on how Alabama rot is caught or how to prevent it.

Symptoms of Alabama rot

There are a few symptoms of Alabama rot that dog owners should keep an eye out for. According to Medivet, these include:

• Painful skin lesions
• Sores and ulcers on the dog’s face, mouth, tongue and lower body
• Fur loss around the above areas
• Sores and ulcers, usually around the paws and lower legs
• Excessive licking
• Signs of kidney failure (normally seen after three days)
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness 
• Vomiting

Are there cases of Alabama rot in London?

There are currently no cases of Alabama rot in London, according to Anderson Moore’s interactive map. The most recent cases were reported in New Malden, Richmond and Chiswick in 2021.