Can Your Dog Recover From Alabama Rot?
Alabama Rot is a disease found in dogs but sadly, there are few success stories to tell. The number of survivors is unknown as the disease is only confirmed on analysis of kidney tissue, which is typically taken if a patient dies.
Therefore, survivors do not have a definitive diagnosis of Alabama rot, rather a presumptive one. There are a reasonable number of dogs suspected of surviving Alabama rot; however, the mortality (death) rate for dogs that develop kidney failure and skin lesions is around 90%.
Although significant management may be needed, dogs with skin lesions only (i.e., no sudden onset kidney failure) are expected to survive.
What Is Alabama Rot?
This disease is very rare but can potentially be life threatening for your dog. The cause of Alabama Rot is unknown currently, but the effects of it on the tissues of the body are seen when these tissues are analysed when a patient has lost their life.
The disease causes damage to blood vessels in the skin and often the kidneys. Because of this damage, lesions (sores) can appear on a dog’s skin. These lesions tend to occur around the bottom of the legs but can appear anywhere. If there are damaged blood vessels in the kidney, sudden onset kidney failure (acute kidney injury) develops.
Alabama Rot and CRGV – What's the Difference?
CRGV, or Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy, is the correct clinical term for what people more commonly call Alabama Rot; they are not different diseases.
The disease was discovered in the 1980s in Alabama (USA), hence its more commonly known name of Alabama rot. It was first identified in greyhounds, but after the initially identified cases, numbers seemingly reduced. Alabama Rot does not only affect greyhounds in the UK; it has been seen in multiple different dog breeds.
As understanding develops, and more research is undertaken, veterinary surgeons and other scientists are hopeful that they will be able to find the cause(s) and possibly a specific treatment for this disease. This will hopefully eventually lead to many future success stories!
Signs of Alabama Rot and When to Visit a Vet
If you see an unexplained skin sore, especially on the paw or lower leg(s), Alabama rot is possible – although another far less serious problem is more likely.
A skin lesion may appear as an area of redness and/or a defect in the skin. If your dog is licking excessively then it may be worth looking for a lesion.
Tiredness, vomiting and not eating may be seen in association with a skin sore. If you have any concerns, then we would suggest you contact your local vet.
Increased cases of Alabama Rot are seen between November and May (92% of cases are seen during this time period). At these times, higher numbers of cases are seen during periods of increased rainfall.
It may be prudent to wash your dogs’ legs and undercarriage when the ground is wet and muddy between November and May. As the cause is unknown it is impossible to give any definitive preventative advice.
Further Information on Alabama Rot
Further information on Alabama Rot can be found on this website. If you are concerned about your pet, please contact your local vet. If your vet is concerned about Alabama Rot, they are welcome to contact us for advice.
Should you wish to see locations of confirmed cases in the UK, we have our live case map available.