The first case of Alabama rot has been confirmed in the south Wales valleys after an 11-year-old Jack Russell died from complications related to the disease.
The flesh-eating disease can lead to a dog’s flesh rotting, as well as resulting in kidney failure, vomiting and – in severe cases – death.
The first case of Alabama rot in the UK was reported in 2012 and since then a number of dogs have died in the south-east and north Wales areas.
In the most recent reported case in Wales, a Jack Russell from Penrhiwfer in the Rhondda , has died from kidney complications related to the disease.
Bilbo, also known as Mr B, was put to sleep on Tuesday, January 23, after a sore on his paw eventually led to kidney failure.
His owners Rachel Ogden and her wife Nikki Paterson were left devastated by the news.
“He [Bilbo] was a lovely old boy and loved to wear Dickie bows,” 40-year-old Rachel said.
“We knew there was a possibility it could have been Alabama rot when they told us his kidneys were failing.
“They said there was nothing more they could do for him.”
Rachel and Nicki say they knew something was wrong when Bilbo started to lick a sore on his paw.
According to experts at Vets4Pets, the first sign of Alabama rot is usually a sore on the skin, not caused by a known injury. The skin can become red, and the sore can look like an open ulcer.
“He kept licking a little nick on his paw,” Rachel said.
“It’s something that I’ll probably regret forever, but at the time I just thought it was nothing more than a little cut.”
Rachel’s wife Nicki, who grew up on a farm, suggested spraying the cut with antiseptic spray.
But it wasn’t long before the cut developed into what Rachel says looked like “chemical burns”.
“We knew straight away that we had to go to the vet,” she said. Vets confirmed that Bilbo was suffering from kidney failure.
“We went down to say our goodbyes last Tuesday and before we had the chance to ask for one - the vet suggested a biopsy.
“At that point we knew there was a possibility it could have been Alabama rot, but until we had confirmation, we didn’t want to tell anyone.
“We didn’t want to scare people unnecessarily.”
Rachel and Nicki found out the results of the biopsy on Monday, January 29, while picking up Bilbo’s ashes from the vets.
“They confirmed it was Alabama rot,” Rachel said.
“The vet told me he had sent the sample to their research team. From what I can tell, there isn’t actually much information about where exactly it comes from and why.
“A lot of people say it can be found in wooded areas, but it could also be in muddy, dirty water.”
Rachel said she took pictures of Bilbo’s injuries before he died, in case it was confirmed as Alabama rot and she had to use them to warn others.
“As heartbreaking as it was for me, I took the pictures before he died, just in case it did turn out to be Alabama rot.
“People need to know the signs.”
Rachel is now trying to raise awareness of the symptoms of Alabama rot in the hope of helping other dog owners spot the signs of the disease.
Andrew O’Donnell, the vet who dealt with Bilbo and his lab reports at Treforest and Tonypandy Veterinary Clinics, said: “From the lab reports we have and our discussion with the specialists who are handling cases of Alabama Rot in the UK, we are treating this as a confirmed case.
“Bilbo had all the characteristic signs of the disease – skin ulcers on his legs followed by lethargy and kidney failure, as well as a history of walking in woodland which often is a risk factor.
“As far as we are aware, this is the first confirmed case in the Welsh Valleys area and the first confirmed case this far West.
“Most cases were originally reported around the mid and south UK. The closest confirmed case beyond this was Caldicot area.
“In previous years there has been no spread into Wales so this introduces a new risk to the area now we have had a confirmed case.
“Alabama Rot is a rare disease and we advise people not to panic, but to try and spread awareness.
“We don’t know what causes it, which is what makes treatment so difficult. Affected animals usually have a history of walking in muddy woodland, followed by ulcerations on their legs or muzzle.
“The best prevention we know of so far is avoiding wooded areas where confirmed cases have been seen and washing/rinsing mud off dogs after walking in any area like this.
“Any owners concerned about their animals showing ulcers on their legs, paws or muzzle should seek veterinary advice.”
