Autumn is a great time for dogs for many reasons. The cooler weather conditions help dogs regulate their temperatures and allow them to enjoy the outdoors more, and speaking of the outdoors, the smell and feeling of fallen, crunchy leaves offer the perfect sensory experience for pups.
The season also has fewer pesky insects and a lower pollen count, which means fewer things that are bothersome to dogs, especially when on walks. The list of autumn benefits could go on. However, along with good comes bad, and in this case, a warning that has been issued to dog owners is quite severe, as experts urge dog owners to be aware of a life-threatening disease.
The Kennel Club explained that “although autumnal walks with your dog can be beautiful, it’s important to be aware of the seasonal dangers that could be harmful to them”, and one of those is a disease known as Alabama rot.
Alabama rot or cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) is a life-threatening disease that blocks and damages the blood vessels in a dog’s skin and kidneys.
The cause of the disease is unknown, but according to The Kennel Club, it is “believed to be related” to dogs walking in muddy conditions. Many of the dogs that have died from the disease had been walking in muddy areas just before becoming ill.
While Alabama rot is rare, it is essential that owners take precautions to keep their pets safe.
Symptoms of Alabama rot can first appear as “unexplained” marks, sores, or ulcers, typically on a dog’s legs or paws.
Experts recommend two options for keeping dogs safe and preventing them from getting ill: keeping dogs away from muddy areas or washing and drying them thoroughly after muddy or wet walks.
If you spot any early signs of Alabama rot, contact your vet immediately. Seeking veterinary treatment immediately could help your dog’s chances of survival.
The Kennel Club added: “Dogs only showing skin ulcers will usually be treated non-invasively, while dogs showing signs of kidney problems will need more intensive supportive care.
“At the moment Alabama rot can only be confirmed once a dog is dead and so it is impossible to know how many dogs survive. The survival rate is believed to be low, so to give your dog the best possible chance of survival, it is important that supportive care starts as soon as possible”