Devastated dog owner's warning after beloved pet dies of Alabama Rot disease in Leyland

Heartbroken dog owner Anne-Marie Stockton, 35, from Leyland, has shared how her beloved pet died within days of contracting Alabama rot.

Despite the best efforts of veterinarians, Bella, a 16-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier, died at 12.15pm on Wednesday, March 11 after initially being diagnosed with a water infection.

Anne-Marie has now shared her experience to warn other dog owners about the rare and devastating disease.

She said: "Two weeks prior to Bella getting really poorly, me and my partner had taken her to Cuerden Valley Park in Bamber Bridge like we had done on a couple of other occasions.

"The last time we went we were walking through the forest and she grazed her leg. It didn't bother her so we weren't too worried about it.

"The following Sunday we'd gone for a walk with my Nan's dog and Bella up at Worden Park, and then on the Monday she just became seriously poorly."

Anne-Marie explains that she noticed Bella had been sick during Sunday night, but on the Monday, Anne-Marie's partner, John Forshaw, 42, noticed Bella was urinating blood.

After rushing her to the vets, Bella was treated for a water infection as blood in the urine is a common symptom, and she was given antibiotics.

A a few days later, Anne-Marie noticed Bella hadn't had anything to eat or drink for two days so they took her back to the vets.

At 9.30am, the vets told her that they would keep Bella in for tests, but by 10.30am, Anne-Marie received a phone call telling her to come back to say her goodbyes.

"I put my mum on the phone because I couldn't talk. I was too heartbroken," Anne-Marie said.

"When the vet told me and my partner about Alabama Rot we just looked at each other as we had never heard of it before.

"It came as a shock because within two days it killed her. It all happened so quickly."

Clinically known as CRGV (Cutaneous Renal and Glomerular Vasculopathy), the disease was first identified in the USA in the 1980s.

Alabama rot is a disease that damages blood vessels in the skin and kidneys of dogs.

It causes blood to clot in the vessels which damages the lining and the delicate tissues of the kidneys.

This causes ulcers on a dog’s skin which can lead to fatal kidney failure.

Bella is one of 10 new cases confirmed in the UK so far this year, but the disease remains rare - Bella is only the fifth case to be confirmed in Lancashire since 2014.

The other four Lancashire dogs to be struck with the disease had been on walks in Chorley (January 2019), Heath Charnock (November 2017), Fulwood (January 2016) and Garstang (June 2014).

There is currently no known way of preventing a dog from catching the disease and experts say treatment is only effective in around 20 per cent of cases.

Anne-Marie added: "When they asked us for permission to take samples of her blood and kidneys after she passed away, and when we got the results back, we felt guilty.

"We felt like we had killed our dog because we had taken her to Cuerden.

"Bella was a crazy dog, but you wouldn't have wanted any other dog. She melted my heart. She was part of the family, and I want to make people aware so this doesn't happen to anyone else."

What should I do if my dog is showing symptoms?

In total, the UK has now seen more than 220 confirmed cases of Alabama Rot across 44 counties since 2012.

David Walker, a veterinary specialist on the condition, said: "Further confirmed cases mean it is understandably very worrying for dog owners.

"However, this disease is still very rare, so we’re advising dog owners to remain calm but vigilant, and seek advice from their local vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.

"While there is currently no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease, any concerned dog owners should seek online guidance for advice and a map of confirmed cases."

Speaking to the Post earlier this year, Dr Huw Stacey, vet and director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, advised dog owners to contact their vet if they have any concerns.

He said: "While it is understandable that dog owners will be worried by Alabama Rot, it is still a very rare disease and we’d encourage owners to continue exercising their pet.

"If a dog becomes affected, the best chance of recovery lies with early and intensive veterinary care at a specialist facility.

"Treatment is supportive, but is only successful in around 20 percent of cases, which is why we’re encouraging all dog owners to use the online interactive guide to help them understand the clinical signs and confirmed locations of the condition, and visit a vet if they have any concerns."