IT is thought that a dog being treated for Alabama Rot in Chepstow has lost its fight.

The dog fell ill at the end of January, and reports now claim the decision has been made to euthanise the animal.

This is be the second dog in the county to be killed by the disease, which is more technically known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV).

The cause of CRGV is unknown, but it damages the blood vessels of the skin and kidney, causing tiny blood clots to form. These clots can cause ulceration of the skin, but in the blood vessels of the kidneys can lead to total kidney failure.

The case of CRGV has not been fully confirmed because it is not possible to test for the disease whilst the dog is alive.

Early symptoms include:

• Unexplained redness, sores or ulceration of the skin, particularly on the paws or legs.

• Signs of kidney failure come one to nine days after the skin lesions and can include vomiting and lethargy.

When in doubt it is best to seek veterinary advice, as early and aggressive management gives the best chance of surviving the illness.

The dog, named Alfie, received intensive veterinary treatment at a Chepstow vets since falling ill.

Although an environmental cause for this disease has not been proven, it has been suggested that owners should take care to wash their dog’s paws after particularly muddy walks. No specific location has been highlighted as a risk in the Monmouthshire area.