Carry on dog walking on common, says vet

Fears over Alabama Rot disease 'should be kept in proportion'

A HUNGERFORD vet has reassured dog walkers over the risk to their pets from a disease known as Alabama Rot.

The condition, more formally known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, causes skin lesions and, ultimately, kidney failure in affected dogs.

Some dog owners have expressed fears about walking their pets on Hungerford Common following outbreaks in recent weeks in parts of Wiltshire.

At least four dogs were suspected of contracting the illness after being walked in West Woods at Marlborough in the run-up to Christmas.

Another case was reported in Swindon after a dog was walked in three wooded areas.

Nearly 20 dogs died in the New Forest in 2013.

Last May there was an unconfirmed report of a case in Lambourn and one fatal case in Hungerford around 12 months ago.

Clare Brown of the Hungerford branch of the We Love Pets dog-walking and pet- sitting franchise, said: “There has been some concern locally.

“Obviously we’re aware of it and our customers know that we have a veterinary nurse working with us so we know what to look for.”

Jonathan Green, owner of The Veterinary Hospital, Hungerford, urged owners to keep a sense of proportion.

He said: “It’s is a very serious condition, but also very rare. No one knows for certain what causes it and all we can do is offer symptomatic treatment and treat the kidney failure.

“There have been reports of dogs contracting it after being walked in woodland but owners have been known to attribute any skin lesions to it.

Mr Green added: “It is still very rare – there have only been 60 confirmed cases in the UK – and it would be silly to stop walking your dog on Hungerford Common.

“There are no particular precuations owners can take, other than to avoid places where it is known that dogs have contracted it.”