Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Three new cases of Alabama rot confirmed
Labrador retriever Molly was successfully treated for Alabama rot after contracting the disease just before Christmas.

Outbreaks identified in Herefordshire, Greater London and Exeter.

Three new cases of the potentially fatal cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), also known as Alabama rot, have been identified by Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists.

The new outbreaks were identified in Herefordshire, Greater London and Exeter, prompting Anderson Moores to issue a warning to dog owners and vets to be on their guard for the disease.

Team leader David Walker, a European specialist in small animal internal medicine and the UK’s foremost authority on the disease, said: “We’re very sad to confirm three new cases of CRGV already in 2021. Unfortunately, we find ourselves at the time of year when cases are most commonly identified. 

“As well as these confirmed cases, we are awaiting results on a number of other dogs that have sadly been euthanised with suspected CRGV. It is understandably a worrying time of year for dog owners with regards to CRGV; however, the disease remains rare. 

“We’re advising dog owners across the country to remain calm but vigilant and seek advice from their local vets if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.” 

CRGV is a serious, often fatal disease of the kidneys. It was first detected in the UK in 2012 and has since been identified in multiple locations across the country, including Gloucestershire, Surrey, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cornwall, Devon and Staffordshire. 

The three new cases come off the back of 47 during 2020, 19 cases in 2019 and 18 in 2018. The cause of the disease remains unknown, but investigations are ongoing. 

Mr Walker added: “Treatment primarily revolves around intensive management of the acute kidney injury and is sadly only successful in around 10 per cent of cases.
However, the team here at Anderson Moores successfully treated a suspected case of CRGV in a Labrador retriever.

"Molly was referred to our internal medicine team just before Christmas due to limb swelling and a deep, painful ulcerative lesion on one of her legs. Following four days’ intensive treatment, her condition started to improve and we began to cautiously hope she would survive the disease.

"Molly continued to slowly improve and, after two nerve-wracking weeks, she was discharged to continue her recovery at home. Recovery for patients such as Molly is often prolonged but she has continued to do well."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.