20/11/2023
Great information curtesy of AQUEOS
https://www.aqueos.co.uk
DON'T LET THE ALABAMA ROT SET IN
Welcome to autumn! Traditionally, the season of pumpkins, mud, leaves and rain. Dog owners are used to their fair share of horrible weather, but autumn and winter bring with them even more reasons to ensure that pets are cleaned well after their walks.
What is Alabama Rot?
Alabama Rot, otherwise known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), is a disease that affects dogs. It’s thought to be picked up on dogs’ paws and legs during muddy walks and is particularly prevalent during autumn and winter.
Experts still don’t really understand the cause of the disease but it arrived in the UK at least a decade ago. Although the number of cases in the UK is still small, if not dealt with, Alabama Rot can damage the blood vessels in the skin and kidneys, causing visible sores on the skin and possibly leading to severe organ dysfunction and ultimately kidney failure.
Wash those dirty dogs!
Thorough washing of legs and paws, with antibacterial soap following muddy walks or walks through woodland, are thought to be the best way of reducing the risk to dogs. Aqueos has a full range of antibacterial products that kill 99.999% of bacteria and are available in shampoos, wipes, hand soap and sprays.
Red flags for Alabama Rot
Signs dog owners should look out for are:
· Skin sores, visible swelling, red patches, or skin defects not caused by a known injury. These skin lesions typically appear below the knee or elbow, and occasionally on the face or at the bottom of the chest or abdomen.
· Changes in appetite - reduced appetite, drinking more, vomiting and lethargy are signs of acute kidney injury.
These signs could easily be something totally unrelated to Alabama Rot, but if an owner or dog walker is concerned, it’s worth contacting a vet for advice. If it is Alabama rot, early recognition, and aggressive management are likely to have the best results.
Top 3 recommendations for dog owners
1) Antibacterial wipes:
These versatile disinfectant wipes for dogs kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi. They’re gentle enough to be used to wipe down dogs’ legs, collars, and leads and they’re handy to clean dogs’ ears, and paws, and as a general clean-up after a dog walk. The wipes are on a long roll, so you can pull off as many as you need at a time.
2) Antibacterial shampoo:
This is a versatile shampoo that can be used as an everyday shampoo or for a multitude of applications, from skin irritations, rashes, itchy skin, general skin conditions, or very smelly dogs. It's a godsend for dogs who like to roll in anything nasty or who are generally itchy. This product is very competitively priced compared to the vet-prescribed versions giving relief to dogs and is a very gentle product, safe to use for dogs and for owners, and used by professional dog groomers. Again great for clean ups after muddy dog walks.
3) Disinfectant and deodoriser spray:
Aqueos disinfectant spray is gentle enough to be used as a disinfectant and deodoriser that is sprayed directly onto a dog's coat. It’s really handy for dogs who like to roll in anything nasty on walks and can be used to clean legs, paws and fur.
