A WHITCHURCH vet says there is no need to panic over cases of Alabama Rot despite the lack of understanding over the illness.

Alabama Rot, or CRGV, is a disease in dogs caused by damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney.

It causes tiny blood clots to form in the blood vessels which blocks them and can ultimately lead to damage of the affected tissue.

In the skin, this causes ulcers; however, in the kidney it can lead to kidney failure.

It is not known how and where dogs catch Alabama Rot, and the disease continues to be the subject of much research.

Steve Leonard, from Leonard Brothers Veterinary Centre in Whitchurch, says despite the uncertainty surrounding the disease, dog owners should not be concerned.

"If your dog gets a cut on its leg when it's been out in wooded areas, that's how it starts," said Steve.

"If they get unwell unfortunately, it's usually too late.

"But it's very rare, we don't understand the mechanism and there will be individual factors for each dog.

"What that suggests that if it is a toxin or an infection, much like the coronavirus, it is often asymptomatic and lots of dogs will have it and get on with it.

"In some dogs though it will cause kidney failure."

Steve says despite the 'scary' name, dog owners should not be overly concerned and should take normal precautions with their pets.

"The key thing is that cases are incredibly low, given how many dogs walk in wooded areas," Steve added.

"There have been just 271 cases from 2012 to 2021.

"Cleaning the mud off your dog's legs after a walk seems like a sensible precaution.

"If your dog gets any non-healing wounds and they don't seem to be settling down it is worth visiting your vet and checking their kidneys.

"If it's early enough sometimes we can support that kidney.

"We don't want people to panic about it, it is always tragic when people lose their dogs but more dogs die from incidents on roads or from swallowing something they shouldn't.

"I liken it to swimming in the sea, everyone is afraid of sharks but you are more likely to die from getting cramp and drowning than you are from a shark."