Ringwood-based vet Dr Fiona Macdonald involved in potential Alabama rot breakthrough
A PROJECT initiated in the New Forest has led to what could be a breakthrough in the battle against a killer dog disease.
Led by Ringwood-based vet Dr Fiona Macdonald, a team of scientists have been working to identify the source of Alabama rot.
So far this year two dogs in southern England have already died from the disease which causes lesions on paws, legs and the underside of dogs’ bodies.
They can also be found on the lips or tongue. It can affect the kidneys and has an estimated mortality rate of 90%.
The best chance of survival is for a dog suspected of having Alabama rot – also known as CRGV – to be taken straight to a vet.
But many animal medics admit they find it hard to treat the disease, and tracking down the cause of it has been difficult.
Now researchers at the University of Bristol say they have potentially identified a bacterial candidate organism which they believe could cause Alabama rot.
Dr Macdonald said environmental sampling work for the organism has already taken place in the New Forest, and similar work will be undertaken in other areas both with and without confirmed cases.
She added: “It’s very exciting. Once we have fully identified it, it will give us a lot of background information on the organism.
“We’re interested in seeing how much is still out there. It will give us a fairly good impression of how widespread the disease still is.”
Dr Macdonald’s team is appealing for samples or swabs from cases of the disease so they can continue their work.
The New Forest Dog Owners Group is part funding the research and its chair, Heather Gould, said: “This is excellent news, and the research we’ve supported looks as if it is now getting very close to providing treatment plans for this horrid infection.
“But dog owners need to take care and remain vigilant and seek advice from their vets if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.”
A total of 292 cases have been confirmed since Alabama rot was first discovered locally in 2012, according to Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists near Winchester, which collates the figures.
Josh Walker, co-lead of Anderson Moores’ work on the disease, said: “Unfortunately, this is the time of year when cases are most commonly identified and, sadly, we have seen the first two cases in 2023, following 11 confirmed cases in the UK last year.
“We are advising dog owners across the country to remain calm but vigilant, and seek advice from their vets if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.”
Vets are now being asked to provide information on the animals they treat for suspected Alabama rot including the age, breed and where the dog was walked, along with the type of terrain encountered.
They are also asked to send “first presentation material” before any treatment has been administered to Helen Howshall, Churchill Building, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU.
