A local dog has just died and it is the first local confirmed case of Alabama rot. Unable to say for sure but it is thought most likely caught from swimming in the local river (Tweed). My dog swims most days, this weekend she probably spent 3 or 4 hours in the Tweed. Keeping her out of it is a massive shame, although so would dying be a shame.
What do other people do when they have this horrible disease in the their area? Stay away form water/ mud or just wash the dog down at home and hope the odds are in your favour? How do you know when it is safe to hit the water again?
It’s real disease and poses some threat but the risk is pretty low, the number of cases compared to number of dogs in areas it effects is pretty low and soon seems to stop. Which area of the Tweed?
There's been one or two cases round here and the common factor seems to be know one knows how dog's catch it so avoiding an area or an activity seems to be relatively futile.
Given what your dog could have already caught from the water or given you having been in it (which you were ok with) any additional risk from Alabama Rot is probably minuscule.
Which area of the Tweed?
Melrose / Gattonside
Ah right ta.
Hope your pooch is ok I’m sure it will be.
its mostly found in very muddy cool areas like woods I believe we had a case just 1 mile from my house. it' very fast acting I've been told.
The facts about Alabama rot:
The cause is unknown. There have been around 20 cases per year for the last 6-7 years. I diagnosed one in Somerset in 2012 and there have been a couple since then in the local area. Some people theorise that cases appear to be linked to walking dogs in damp woodlands areas after rain, and that possibly water based bacteria might be the cause. This has not been confirmed, and considering we live in the UK and there are about 7 million dogs, presumably most of us walk our dogs in damp woodland fairly often. Cases have been found all across the country over the last few years, and as the name infers, were originally found in Alabama.
Most dogs die even if the disease is suspected early on. 20 cases per year in 7 million dogs represents a tiny risk in real terms. I often compare it to being struck by lightning - terrible if it happens but probably not worth worrying about since there are no preventative measures to take.
If you should look out for anything it would be unexplained wounds, especially lower legs, often involving skin sloughing. Early treatment might increase the chances of survival but until a cause is identified there is very little you can do to mitigate against it. BUT very rare! Just for some reason has attracted much more attention than other diseases. Keeping your dog healthy, on a lead near roads, not overweight and vaccinated will reduce the risk of many much more common diseases than this one. Best to worry about things we can change rather than things we cannot, as Sinead O'Connor once said...
Just for some reason has attracted much more attention than other diseases.
I think because it looks so shocking so social media loves it.
That is really helpful, thanks andylc. I think the fact that is has happened so close to home makes it feel like a more significant risk.