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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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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.