DOG owners have been warned to be on the look out for signs of Alabama Rot in their pets following two confirmed cases in the Wokingham area.
However, the borough’s public protection partnership has stressed that it is still a very rare disease.
The partnership has recommended that owners should wash any mud off of their dog after every walk, and to keep dogs under close control so owners know what their pets are doing when out and about.
It has also reminded owners with concerns about their dog to contact a vet as soon as possible.
Signs of Alabama Rot include skin sores, visible swelling and red patch or skin defects not caused by a known injury.
The skin lesions typically appear below a dog’s knee or elbow, and occasionally on the face or at the bottom of the chest or abdomen.
Other symptoms to look out for include changes in appetite, such as reduced appetite and drinking more, vomiting and lethargy. These are signs of acute kidney injury which can be caused by the disease.
For more information on Alabama Rot, visit: rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/diseases/alabamarot
