alabama rot

Re: alabama rot

Bob Russell — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 11:20:01 GMT

Dog owners are living in fear around here. They all know someone who knows someone that has lost a dog from 'Alabama Rot'. The news media have created near hysteria, to the point that large numbers of dogs are not allowed into the New Forest.

Really nice for those that do continue to walk their dogs in the Forest because it is quieter. I dread to think how much damage this is causing the local economy. I know of a number of cancelled holidays because of the risk to the family dog.

I feel it is my job to put the risks into perspective so my patients can enjoy life!

The only change is a warning to owners of dogs presented with sores of things to watch out for. Also a few more vomiting, ill dogs get a renal profile earlier than in the past!

Re: alabama rot

Luca Poddighe — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 09:21:19 GMT

[quote user="Gerry Henry"]

Is this an april fool?

[/quote]

I don't know but if it is the OP was late...

Re: alabama rot

Gerry Henry — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:52:49 GMT

Is this an april fool?

Re: alabama rot

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 17:43:55 GMT

There was an article in one of the broadsheets a couple of weeks ago which headlined: 'Vets confirm dog disease is Alabama Rot'. It was as I recall none too forthcoming with anything other than the same old anecdote and scaremongering to sell papers.

Re: alabama rot

Thomas Johnson — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 12:34:13 GMT

[quote user="patrick murphy"]

my staff have said that it has once again reared it's head among the dog community. a search of the forums revealed nothing contemporaneous. does anyone now anything different. thanks.

[/quote]

There was an article in the Vet Record a few weeks ago:

http://veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/early/2015/03/13/vr.102892.full

Most of the national newspapers and the BBC website had articles summarising the paper.

Re: alabama rot

Bob Russell — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 11:10:35 GMT

We are, apparently in the thick of it here but have not seen cases for a couple of years. I am a bit sceptical about some of the 'diagnoses' as I suspect few have been diagnosed by post-mortem (nor were our cases but it was at the beginning!).

I suspect the New Forest just happened to cop it because there are loads of dogs, a high percentage of insured pets and a number of extremely good referral centres within easy reach! Davis Walker et al produced an abstract recently - Basically no cause identified therefore limited (or no) preventive measures possible and if diagnosed sadly they are 'stuffed'.

I suggest my patients are allowed to get on with a great New Forest life and owners just accept that it is a risk of being alive (perhaps increased by getting muddy!).

Far more chinese whispers than cases (hopefully) or they would be dying like flies.

My comment to owners, 'it probably does not come from Alabama and they don't rot but apart from that it is a good name'!

Re: alabama rot

emma o'connor — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 10:49:25 GMT

There was a case confirmed in a dog in the New Forest area a few weeks ago. Anderson-Moores website has a dedicated area with regular updates on the situation. I believe the recent case was seen and treated there.