Information for Pet Owners
Idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, otherwise known as CRGV or Alabama rot, is a disease that has been diagnosed in dogs since the late 1980’s. No cases have been diagnosed in cats, or in any other animal. The first diagnosed cases were in Greyhounds in the USA, but since then many breeds of dog have been affected. The cause of the disease remains unknown.
Since December 2012 a number of suspected cases have been seen in the United Kingdom. The first UK cases were in the New Forest , but now cases have been identified in other areas all over the UK.
The first sign of the disease will almost always be skin lesions. These lesions are typically below the knee or elbow, but can be on the face or on the dog’s belly. The lesions vary in appearance: may be a localised swelling, a patch of red skin or an ulcer in the skin. They generally look more serious than a simple graze or a cut or minor bruising. Around two to seven days after skin lesions are first seen the affected dogs have developed signs of kidney failure, which can include vomiting, reduced appetite and lethargy.
Only a small number of dogs have been affected by Alabama Rot. Most skin lesions are not caused by this disease and most cases of kidney failure have another cause.
If your dog is affected , early recognition of the disease and aggressive management is likely to give your dog the best chance of recovery. At the moment we don’t have enough knowledge to give specific advice about where to walk your dog. The disease doesn’t seem to pass from dog to dog.
If you are concerned about your dog please phone us for advice