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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 10th May 2017
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Vets hold first Alabama rot conference
Jasmine Smith's dog contracted Alabama rot shortly after walking in the Forest of Dean.
Disease fatal in 9 out of 10 dogs

Vets and veterinary nurses are gathering in Reading today (10 May) for the first-ever conference on Alabama rot.

Organised by David Walker of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, the conference will discuss the disease, which has killed more than 90 dogs since December 2012.

The most recent case was reported by a woman from Gloucester, whose dog Boe contracted Alabama rot after walking in the Forest of Dean.

Commenting on her Facebook page (5 May), Jasmine Smith said: “My dog is currently being treated for Alabama rot which has caused acute kidney failure and is very poorly.

“We walk our princess up the woods in drybrook - please take care and be aware that Alabama rot is in the Forest of Dean!!

“It's unlikely to catch it but my dog has and it could be your dog - please go careful and share this post so all dog walkers are aware of this disease!!!”

On Wednesday, a woman from Monmouthshire warned owners about Alabama rot following the death of her dog Fleur. Gabrielle Williams told BBC Breakfast that it was “devastating” to see her dog’s health decline so rapidly.

“From the first symptom which was her being sick to her being put to sleep was a week," she said. "She was sick one morning. I didn't think much of it... the day after she had an intermittent limp... it did proceed to get worse and then a lesion appeared.

"I took her to the vet and she deteriorated very quickly from then on."

Relatively new to the UK, Alabama rot is fatal in 9 out of 10 cases. It is caused by damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney, leading to ulceration. In some cases, dogs go on to develop life-threading kidney failure.

The cause of the disease is not yet known, so a vaccine cannot be developed. Owners are urged to see a vet without delay if their dog starts to lick skin lesions or sores not caused by a known injury.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.