ANOTHER dog in the county has sadly lost his life after contracting Alabama Rot.

Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, who have been investigating Alabama Rot outbreaks in the UK, confirmed that a dog in Undy had passed away from the disease at the start of the month.

The dog who contracted the disease was a four year old chocolate labrador called Bailey.

The Beacon reported an outbreak of the disease in January this year.

Alabama Rot is known professionally as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV) and is a flesh-eating bug affecting dogs. The cause is still unknown, and treatment is at best 30% successful.

The illness first appeared in the late 1980’s affecting greyhounds in America, and has been found in at least 27 counties in England and Wales since 2012. 78 cases have been confirmed in the UK, with 14 being already identified in 2016 alone.

Dr Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at Vets4Pets said: “The first sign that is normally seen is a skin sore that isn’t caused by a known injury. Most commonly these sores are found below the elbow or knee and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like.

“If a dog becomes affected the best outcome will probably come from early and intensive veterinary care, which has resulted in some dogs successfully recovering.

“Any dog owners who are worried that their pet might have Alabama Rot should contact their veterinary practice immediately.

“This will help build knowledge about the disease and also give a dog the best chance of survival.”

David Walker from Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists said: “The cause of Alabama Rot, clinically known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), is still unknown and there is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease. 

“While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, there is a very useful guide available online to help people understand where in the UK confirmed cases have been found and advice on how to spot signs.

“Any concerned dog owners should visit www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot”