ANOTHER case of a killer dog disease has been confirmed as owners are urged to look out for symptoms.

       The condition, 'Alabama rot', targets pooches' kidneys and has a shocking 90 per cent mortality rate.

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       Dogs are said to pick up the disease often from walking in the mud Credit: Getty 2

       Dog owners are urged to seek immediate advice in the case of lesions appearing on dogs' skin

       It is the second case of the condition this year, scientifically named as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, which has been confirmed in Ashtead, Surrey.

       A first case was confirmed in Berkshire and claimed the life of a German shorthair pointer cross.

       The total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 281.

       The disease damages the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, which causes visible sores on the skin and can lead to severe organ dysfunction and ultimately kidney failure.

       Most reports come from pet owners who walk their dogs in the countryside, and most cases are reported during winter and spring, the RSCPA says.

       Skin sores, visible swelling, red patch or skin defects not caused by a known injury are typical symptoms to look out for.

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       The lesions typically appear below the knee or elbow, and occasionally on the face or at the bottom of the chest or abdomen.

       Dogs can also experience a reduced appetite, drinking more, vomiting and lethargy are signs of acute kidney injury.

       The two new cases follow the 28 throughout which were detected last year and 47 in 2020.

       The first case of this year was in Wokingham, Berkshire and claimed the life of Frankie, a two-year-old German shorthair pointer cross.

       Frankie’s owner Kevin O’Connell said the disease took hold of his pet rapidly.

       He told SurreyLive: “It was all incredibly quick. We first noticed something was wrong with Frankie on Wednesday, January 5, after he vomited.

       “He then seemed to be OK but later that afternoon he was vomiting a lot, almost continuously, so we took him to our local vets who gave him some anti-nausea medication."

       Despite this, the medication had no effect and they took him back to the vet where it was determined he had serious kidney problems.

       Frankie could not be saved and he was put to sleep the following Saturday, February 8.

       Kevin added: “Alabama Rot wasn’t something I was aware of previously. The vets said it can affect young dogs who are in wet, muddy environments and, unfortunately, the woods behind us where we often took Frankie on walks are very wet and very muddy.”

       Cases in the UK have been tracked and researched for a decade by staff at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists.

       David Walker, a specialist in small animal internal medicine from the vets said they deal with cases most often around this time of year.

       He said: “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.”

       The disease was first detected in the UK in 2012 after originally appearing in the late 1980s.

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