AN INTERACTIVE map has revealed where deadly Alabama rot has been reported across Lancashire.

According to the map published by Vets 4 Pets, 30 cases have been reported within a 20 mile radius of Blackburn.

Pet owners are being urged to remain vigilant as it is currently unknown how Alabama rot is caused.

Vets4pets said: “As the cause of Alabama rot is still unknown, there is no known way to prevent your dog from contracting the disease, although there have been cases of closely associated dogs becoming affected.”

What is Alabama Rot?

Also known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), Alabama rot is a disease which causes damage to the skin as well as the kidney's blood vessels.

This damage can lead to skin ulcers and in the worst case scenario, kidney failure.

Worryingly, the cause of Alabama rot is currently unknown and research is still ongoing.

According to the RSPCA, most reports come from pet owners who walk their dogs in the countryside, and that most cases are reported during winter and spring.

What symptoms should I look out for?

The following symptoms were taken from the RSPCA website:

Skin sores not caused by a known injury (these typically appear below the knee and elbow but can appear elsewhere).

  • Visible swelling, a red patch or defect in the skin
  • Reduced appetite
  • Increased thirst
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy

How to avoid Alabama rot

The RSPCA advise pet owners to wash all mud off after walking their dogs, especially if they have travelled through woodland.

However “there is no proof that this is necessary or indeed helpful”.

Can dogs survive the disease?

The good news is some dogs with suspected Alabama rot have survived.

Dave Leicester, head of telehealth at Vets Now said: "The difficulty is vets can only provide 100% confirmation of the disease through analysis of kidney tissue.

"This is typically obtained after the animal has died.

" At the moment the disease cannot be diagnosed using blood tests or even analysis of skin lesion samples, so it’s very difficult for vets to know for certain whether a surviving pet actually had the disease.

"What we do know is around 80-85% of dogs who contract suspected Alabama rot and go on to develop kidney injury do not survive and the average time for dying is just seven days."

Where has Alabama rot been reported in Lancashire and the North West?

Lancashire Telegraph: (Credit: Vets 4 Pets)(Credit: Vets 4 Pets)

There have been 30 reported cases within a 20 mile radius of Blackburn.

The majority of reports lie to more western areas of Lancashire.

There have been two reports of the disease in Preston since 2016, the most recent of which was in February 2021.

A case was reported in June 2014 and another was reported last year in Leyland.

In the borough of Chorley, two cases have been reported- one in Heath Charnock and another near Buckshaw Village.

If you are planning to take your four-legged friend on a road trip there have also been some Alabama Rot reports in wider parts of the North West.

There have been 35 confirmed cases within a 20 mile radius of Bolton and Manchester.

12 of these were reported within the borough of Bolton since 2016; the latest of which was reported in April 2021.

Two were reported in Oldham and three were reported in Trafford.

Four reports were also made in Wigan.

View the interactive map for yourself by visiting the online website.

Has your dog contracted Alabama rot? Send your stories to sarah.mcgee@newsquest.co.uk.