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

First 2022 Alabama Rot deaths confirmed
The latest cases bring the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 281.
Two cases of the deadly disease have been identified in Surrey and Berkshire.

Vets at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists have confirmed the first two Alabama rot cases of 2022.

In a press release, the referral centre said the cases were identified in Ashtead, Surrey, and Wokingham, Berkshire, in January.

Anderson Moores has been leading research into the deadly disease, also known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), since 2012 - and is gathering data on all cases and reports across the UK. 

The team recently launched a website offering pet owners advice and information about the disease, including a live map of confirmed cases across the UK. 

Vet David Walker, who leads the team at Anderson Moores and is the UK’s foremost authority on the disease, said: “We’re very sad to confirm two new cases of CRGV already in 2022. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in the time of year when cases are most commonly identified. 

“It is understandably worrying for dog owners; however, I must stress that this disease is still very 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.” 

Alabama rot first appeared in the US in the late 1980s and was first detected in the UK in 2012. It affects the kidneys and has a 90 per cent mortality rate. 

The two new cases follow 28 throughout 2021 and 47 in 2020 and take the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 281. 

Mr Walker added: “In launching this new website, we aim to give pet owners as much information as possible about CRGV.

“We hope the confirmed case map will also prove useful. Although an environmental trigger has not been definitively proven, the seasonality of the disease makes it eminently possible and the map allows everyone to see the location of confirmed cases.” 

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

Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.