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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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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

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News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.