Information about Alabama Rot - please read, you may be able to help

@Beanwood I've looked at barrier creams for paws and there is quite a choice it's not anything I have ever bought. If you have used any what in particular do you recommend.
I checked the map this afternoon and scarily there was a case reported in March not far from where I walked Mabel today. Very very worrying for all concerned

 

Do you have an idea what sort of disinfectant would be good? Psychologically, rinsing with a disinfectant wash (like we had to do when there was the foot and mouth outbreak) would make me feel better even if it doesn't do anything! Am I right in thinking it is a bacterium not a virus that they think is causing it?

 

It is difficult question to answer. The cause is unknown, so with regard to disinfectants, I would personally use one with a broad spectrum, meaning effective across spores, bacteria, viruses etc..It also might be worth noting that the vast majority of cases, ( of the 98 or so identified..) occur between November and May, so there is a seasonal element to when dogs are infected. The research has been on going for the last 3 years and as yet the cause has not been identified.

Some useful links:

http://www.andersonmoores.com/owner/CRGV.php

http://www.arrf.co.uk/

 

What does Alabama rot look like
Thanks

 

http://www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/

 

Just seen this on the BBC web page

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-41664119

 

January 2018 Update:

Let's have a look at where we are at with Alabama Rot or it's correct name - Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRVG) after it was first detected in 2012.

Summary of 2017 - Vets at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists have confirmed that the number of Alabama Rot cases almost doubled in 2017 compared to the previous year, with a total of 37 cases - including eight in December alone. Although 2017 was the worst year ever for reported cases, it is suggested that this may be due to an increase in reported cases as opposed to the actual spread of disease.

Current research - Fish vet, Fiona Macdonald is researching whether Aeromonas hydrophila, a heterotrophic, gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium, present in water sources and soil, might be involved in the cause of CRGV.
A hydrophila is associated with diseases mainly found in freshwater fish and amphibians - but is highly toxic to many organisms.

Has advice changed regarding prevention? - No, not really, whilst there is some encouraging research, the cause of CRVG remains unknown. Advice for concerned dogs walkers is to refer to the incident map link:

http://www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/.

• Note that there is a seasonal link with more cases reported between November and April and especially with dogs walked in muddy woodland areas or terrain with cold running or standing water.

It’s thought that the disease is picked up on the paws and legs on muddy walks, so always:

• Wash off Woodland mud
• Check for signs of CRGV
• If in doubt, call the VET

Signs of CRGV: Unexplained redness, sores or swelling of the skin (particularly on the paws or legs but also the body, face, tongue or mouth) are often the first sign of this disease. It is important to remember that most of the time a skin problem will NOT be caused by CRGV; however, the lesions in CRGV can be difficult to distinguish from cuts, wounds, stings or bites, so if in doubt it is better to seek veterinary advice. Even if the skin changes are caused by CRGV, many dogs will not develop kidney problems and will recover fully. ref: Anderson Moore Veterinary CRGV specialist


New cases in 2018 (January reported cases)

• Sacriston, County Durham
• Guiseley, West Yorkshire
• Bury, Greater Manchester
• Bolton, Greater Manchester
• Leek, Staffordshire
• Petworth, West Sussex
• Brighton, East Sussex
• West Coker, Somerset
• Devon, Bishops Tawton
• Presteigne, Powys

More information here:

https://www.andersonmoores.com/owner/CRGV.php


Please feel free to add to this thread with any confirmed cases, or information

 

Thanks @Beanwood, it's the last one, in Powys, that is local to me. In fact it seems that the dog had been to a beauty spot, a waterfall, where Cassie and I were only last week, with some friends. I think the case was contracted in December, my young neighbour, a vet student, told me on New Years Eve that the local practice was waiting confirmation of AR having had to put a dog down as a suspected case. She was on placement there through the Christmas holidays.

 

A sundog trainer I know, lost two of his dogs to AR and the third dog survived because she was a house dog and washed. He thinks that whatever causes it can be in one place and then move to another.

@selina27, there was a suspect or confirmed case (not sure which) at Ewyas Harold I believe. Very scary.

 

Thanks for the update @Beanwood

 

@selina27, (and others!) there is a correction to my post above, I couldn't remember the name and thought it was a strange one and found the above, however, that is WRONG, it should be Edwin Ralph in Herefordshire!