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Alabama Rot is a rare, but very serious disease of the skin and kidneys that affects dogs.
It’s also known as ‘Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy’, or CRGV. It originated in the US in the 1980s, however, since 2012 there's been some reported cases in the UK.
Being educated on Alabama Rot is one of the most important steps towards keeping your dog safe, so read on for more about this serious condition, so you can take quick action on its symptoms and seek treatment early.
Alabama Rot is a rare condition but can be very serious. The exact way in which dogs contract Alabama Rot remains unknown - but it seems to be picked up by dogs that have spent time in muddy and wet woodland conditions. This can be worrying for dog owners, as this is a common environment for your dog to be in, especially in the UK!
Alabama Rot seems to be linked only to environmental factors, and isn’t spread from dog to dog, or dog to human. So, rest assured that just because your dog may have met or spent time with another dog with Alabama Rot, they shouldn’t be at risk of catching it themselves.
As the causes and origins of Alabama Rot are so elusive, it’s crucial to be vigilant when looking out for symptoms.
Here are the most obvious signs that your dog may have Alabama Rot:
The primary symptoms of Alabama Rot are sores or lesions on the body, mostly on your pooch’s lower legs and paws, and sometimes on the face, chest or abdomen. These sores will look like open wounds, starting out like mosquito bites, but may also resemble patches of swollen or inflamed skin.
Your dog will seem agitated by these sores and may lick or nuzzle them a lot.
If these sores go unnoticed or untreated, the next symptoms will be:
Itchy skin and constant nibbling and scratching are common symptoms in dogs, and won't always mean the presence of Alabama Rot.
Dogs are also prone to a myriad of skin conditions that can be brought on by genetics, other health conditions and even allergies. If your vet has confirmed that Alabama Rot is not the cause of your dog's itchy skin, then you could turn to our Skin & Coat range for help.
From our Skin & Coat Dry Food packed with herring, linseed and collagen to help keep skin clear and fur glossy, to our Salmon Oil, Skin & Coat Probiotic Meaty Treats and our super-powered Bionic Biotic supplement, this bundle of goodies has been specifically crafted to provide a helping paw when keeping your pooch's skin clear and healthy, and their coat soft and shiny.
If signs of itching and sores are something new for your dog and you're worried about Alabama Rot, then always seek advice from your vet.
How quickly does Alabama Rot develop?
The beginning stage of Alabama Rot is when sores develop.
It’s crucial that you act on these immediately and don’t just brush them off as a rash or insect bites. As Alabama Rot develops, the kidneys can be affected within 1-3 days of the sores appearing.
If left untreated, it can lead to kidney damage, then kidney failure and even prove fatal within one week.
Alabama Rot has been detected in the UK since 2012, but it’s extremely rare.
Since then, there's been 318 confirmed cases - 10 of those in 2024 (figures correct as of October 2024)*.
In terms of geographical regions with Alabama Rot, it's been found mostly in the south of England; Surrey, Berkshire, Staffordshire, Buckinghamshire and Herefordshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and a case in London.
Though it’s important to be vigilant and aware of the symptoms of Alabama Rot, the statistics clearly depict how rare it is. Thousands of people walk their dogs in UK woodland every day without them catching this disease, so there’s no need to panic or avoid walking in rural areas with your pooch - though be cautious when it’s extremely wet and muddy.
There's no evidence that certain breeds are more prone to getting Alabama Rot than others, however there are breeds that are more represented among those affected.
They tend to be long-legged breeds such as Whippets, Greyhounds, Labradors and Springer Spaniels. It could be however, that these sorts of dogs are more likely to be running across larger areas of wet, rural areas, rather than genetics playing a part.
To be clear, Alabama Rot can affect any breed of dog.
Though it’s not certain where Alabama Rot comes from, you can practice caution by not taking your dog into muddy woodland areas during rain or after heavy rainfall.
Though you don’t have to avoid taking your dog into nature, think twice before letting them run through damp, dense forest or areas with thick mud. Keep them on the lead at these times, and instead let them run free in areas that are less risky, such as dry and open fields, the park or the beach.
Most importantly, check your dog after walks in nature. Examine their skin closely for lesions or rashes - and take note if they seem to be licking or nuzzling themselves more often.
Remember that loss of appetite, vomiting and urinating more are also symptoms.
If you notice skin sores and lesions in your dog - the first sign of Alabama Rot - it’s integral that you take them to a vet immediately for treatment.
Remember that Alabama Rot develops very quickly, so don’t wait around. Get it treated as a matter of urgency.
If your vet confirms that your dog has contracted Alabama Rot, they'll often follow this treatment plan:
Your vet might suggest a specialist treatment called Total Plasma Exchange (TPE). At this stage, longer term kidney damage is likely to occur.
Unfortunately, Alabama Rot has a very high fatality rate, particularly when it reaches the kidneys. This is why it’s so important to catch the disease early for treatment.
If you treat it within days and your pooch only has the sores to deal with, they should recover within 1-3 weeks.
If your dog's suffered kidney damage from Alabama Rot, that can take longer to recover from, or may even incur long term kidney problems.
If they do recover, they'll need frequent veterinary check-ups and ongoing treatment throughout their lives.
There's been no evidence yet that Alabama Rot affects other animals, it seems to be a canine disease that only impacts dogs.
Overall, Alabama Rot is a very rare disease with only a few hundred cases found in the UK over the last decade. You shouldn’t let the threat of this illness prevent you from taking your dog into nature, or enjoying a walk in the local woods.
However, as Alabama Rot has such a high fatality rate and develops very quickly, you should be extremely vigilant when it comes to checking your dog for sores - and if possible, avoid taking your dog out into very muddy conditions or densely forested areas when it's rained heavily(particularly between autumn and spring).
Finally, keep informed over whether Alabama Rot cases have been reported in your area, and limit walks in high-risk wooded areas if they have.
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