Dog owners warned over spread of flesh-eating disease Alabama Rot

Cases of Alabama Rot, which first appeared in the late 1980s in greyhounds in America, has spread to at least 16 counties in England in the last two years.

Cases of the skin disease that leads to kidney failure are rare but have quadrupled in the UK.

Symptoms of the disease are skin lesions or sores that appear without injury found below the elbow or knee.

Dog owners are being warned to be aware of the disease. Credit: ReutersIt is unknown how to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, clinically known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), and the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed.

Vets are now urging owners who might be taking longer country walks in the warm weather to take extra precautions to stop the disease spreading further such as cleaning mud off their dogs' paws.

How to spot the signs:

• Skin lesions, which appear as a distinct swelling or a patch of red skin

• They most commonly appear below the elbow or knee

• Within two to seven days, the dog will develop signs of kidney failure including: vomiting, reduced hunger and tiredness