Quick Overview
Alabama Rot is a rare, but often fatal disease that can affect all sizes, ages and breeds of dog. It is not contagious and does not affect humans or other animals. Infection is associated with walking and playing in muddy or wet areas but there is currently no known specific cause. You can help prevent infection by cleaning paws and muddy spots, and thoroughly drying after walks.
Alabama Rot first shows up as lesions and swellings on the muzzle, chest and legs, ulcers or sores on the body (usually lower parts of the legs), head, nose or mouth These usually nasty-looking sores can be treated topically but fatality arises from kidney failure so look out for these and the additional symptoms listed below and if you see them in your dog then urgently seek veterinary assistance.
Symptoms of Alabama Rot
skin sores, red patches or skin defects not caused by a known injury
visible swelling affecting:
muzzle, mouth, tongue, chest, lower legs and paws
reduced appetite
drinking more
vomiting
lethargy
Should I be worried?
First of all, don’t worry too much, although serious, this condition is rare. That said, over 160 cases (last updated 2019) have been detected throughout the UK in the past 10 years so we would all be wise to be vigilant. You can arm yourself with information and take sensible precautions to help keep your loved ones safe.
Alabama Rot, also known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), does not affect humans or other animals. However, any breed, age or size of dog can be susceptible.
What's in a name?
Its full name derives from the fact that it affects the skin (cutaneous tissues) and blocks the blood vessels in the kidneys affecting their function (the renal glomerular is a network of tiny capillaries in the kidney that filters the blood to extract waste) and vasculopathy is a general medical term referring to diseases that affect blood vessels. Hence CRVG brings about sores, lesions and ulceration of the skin, and blockage or malfunction of the renal glomeruli.
The colloquial name “Alabama Rot” originates from the first recorded cases in 1988 where numerous infections were detected in greyhounds at a racetrack in Alabama (USA). It is not known how the condition found in the UK and Europe is related to original outbreak in the United States.
The disease is not contagious so infections cannot spread within the home, but dogs from the same household can contract the disease if exposed at the same time. While we don’t know the source of Alabama Rot, it has been linked to wet and muddy conditions with more occurrences during winter and spring.
Why don’t we know more about this deadly disease?
Alabama Rot is often fatal, and the symptomatic sores and ulcers can show up on a dog’s body between 2-7 days after infection. Attacking the kidneys, AR can trigger kidney failure straight after sores appear.
Alabama Rot can only be confirmed posthumously through analysis of kidney samples, so there is currently no way of confirming cases survival of suspected Alabama Rot. This means there is no data on survival rates, and only mortality data on cases where post-mortem investigations were undertaken.
What can you do to prevent infection?
When walking in woodland and near rivers and streams most dogs love rolling in mud and playing in water. It is suspected that this is a likely source where they might pick up harmful germs. Most recorded cases have occured shortly after walks in such areas, particularly between November and May. We think walks of this kind are very good for your dog’s mental health, providing lots of distractions, interesting scents and plenty of good exercise and we strongly advocate their regular use for exercising your dog. A sensible precaution is for owners to clean their dog’s paws after every walk, especially if they’ve been near water or mud.
In addition to cleaning and drying your dog after walks, try and check their body for sores or ulcers, or ticks.
If your dog unexpectedly develops skin ulcers or sores around the legs, paws, head, mouth, tongue or tummy then contact your vet. These skin complaints can be treated with medicated ointments, but if your dog also becomes lethargic, starts to vomit, shows a reduced appetite or any of the other symptoms below then contact your vet straight away as more invasive treatment is needed!
We use specialised cleaning equipment to clean your muddy pups after walks, and plenty of fresh towels to dry them ready to come home.
How can it be treated?
Body sores can be treated topically, but if Alabama Rot is suspected, vets will usually give antibiotics and carry out blood and urine tests to check kidney function.
If the dog’s kidneys are affected, ongoing veterinary observation is essential.
Want to find out more?
Alabama Rot – what are the signs
Alabama Rot – map of known UK infections
