If your dog suddenly becomes swollen around the mouth, lips or feet, it could have been stung by a bee or wasp.
Other symptoms may include drooling, vomit, itchiness, pain at the site of the sting, pawing at the mouth and/or difficulty breathing.
Apply cool water and ring the Vet immediately.
A DOG has died in Bournemouth after contracting Alabama Rot – a disease which has already claimed the life of another dog in Dorset this year.
The case is one of seven confirmed recently in England and Wales by Hampshire vets Anderson Moores, who are specialists on the disease.
The dog had been walked in the Slades Farm and Talbot Woods area before it died on Tuesday, March 28.
It follows the death of Cocker Spaniel Maggie, from Bearwood, last month. Her heartbroken owner, Cathy Moss, has been dog walking in Verwood Forest, Canford Heathand Knighton Heath before she died.
David Walker, head of medicine at Anderson Moores, said they strongly suspected an environmental trigger behind the disease – known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) – although this has yet to be confirmed.
“We’ve worked very hard to unravel the mystery of Alabama Rot. We’ve done a lot of walks with a botanist from the Natural History Museum in areas where cases of the disease have been confirmed,” he said.
Anderson Moores has organised the first Alabama Rot conference in May where they will meet with human medical scientists, vets, and university academics to discuss the disease and how to stop it spreading further.
“The problem is that it’s a small disease – we’ve lost 94 dogs in the UK and Ireland since 2012 – it’s not a major disease like heart disease or cancer, so it’s harder to get funding,” Mr Walker explained.
“We’ve made huge strides with our research, but everyone wants an answer and it’s going to take time and money.”
Alabama Rot causes damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney. An early sign of the disease is unexplained redness, sores or swelling of the skin – particularly on the paws or legs – but they can also be found on the body, face, tongue or mouth.
The disease can go on to cause fatal kidney failure and signs include vomiting, reduced hunger and tiredness.
The fatality rate is high, with only 15-20 per cent of dogs surviving the disease.
The breeds which have been affected most include Labradors, English Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels, Whippets, Flatcoated Retrievers, Hungarian Vizlas, and Border Collies.
However, Mr Walker stressed any breed could be at risk.
He added: “The really tough thing is that it’s not a disease of an old dog – often dogs in the prime of their life get it.
“It’s hard to give preventative advice so all we can say is be vigilant, and if you notice an unexplained sore on your dog, take it to the vet as it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Family dog killed by toxic mould in food recycling bin.
K-Nine news, 16th February 2017, by Victoria Heywood.
Many of us will be familiar with the plastic food caddy, an environmentally-friendly method of separating out food waste for recycling by local councils. Unfortunately, a stark warning is now being issued to dog owners after a pet died from licking the toxic mould that had grown inside his family’s caddy.
Sarah Dent’s dog Dexter had to be rushed to the vet’s when he was found fitting, having consumed bread mould from the caddy which had blown over in high winds. Mrs Dent left Dexter at Wheelhouse Veterinary Centre in Chesham for care, only to return home and find her other dog, George, in the same bleak state. Both dogs were placed into induced comas to help them cope with substantial toxic shock.
While George’s condition quickly improved, Dexter’s sadly deteriorated. He went into multiple organ failure and developed a blood clot in his spleen, and the decision was taken to put him to sleep.
Dexter’s family are absolutely heartbroken, and they hope that by raising awareness of what happened to their dogs, they can prevent animals or children from being poisoned in the future.
Mrs Dent was quoted on Wheelhouse Veterinary Centre’s Facebook page as saying, ”I have many regrets because I love my dogs dearly and have spent their lives trying to keep them safe from things. I only wish I’d known the danger of mould in bread, and the residue it leaves behind. I would have never left this caddy in the back garden, even out of reach, had I realised just how poisonous this was to my animals. I will be reviewing my recycling procedures, lining my caddy and keeping it locked away.
“Please be aware of this if you have dogs, so that hopefully this doesn’t happen to anyone else”
A spokesperson for Wheelhouse Veterinary Centre advised on the same post, “There is a certain type of mould that is fatal, not all mould. This is the mould that comes from things such as bread, cheese, pasta, walnuts. Especially concentrated in a sealed environment such as a container. Mycotoxicosis is a term used to denote poisoning by food products contaminated by fungi (i.e., mouldy bread, cheese, English walnuts, or even a backyard compost). As well as being toxic to humans, fungi release various toxins, also called mycotoxins, that are toxic to cats and dogs.”
Dog owners warned after case of deadly Alabama Rot confirmed in Dorset.
DOG owners in Dorset are being warned about the deadly disease Alabama Rot after a vet confirmed a case in the county.
Girling and Bowditch veterinary practice has confirmed a case of the disease – known as CRGV – in a dog that was walked in both West Chelborough and Ryme Intrinseca, near Yeovil.
The dog later died.
Alabama Rot causes damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney.
An early sign of the disease is unexplained redness, sores or swelling of the skin – particularly on the paws or legs – but they can also be found on the body, face, tongue or mouth.
The disease can go on to cause fatal kidney failure and signs include vomiting, reduced hunger and tiredness.
It is not known what causes the disease so vets encourage owners to wash their pets – particularly their paws and tummies – after muddy walks.
People are urged to seek advice if they have any concerns.
Girling and Bowditch issued the following warning online: “We have had a confirmed case of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, otherwise known as Alabama Rot.
“This is a relatively new disease with confirmed cases throughout the country.
“This disease often manifests as skin lesions. Often there will be a scrape or ulcer to an area, often feet. There could be red areas with black centres often found on the legs and muzzle.
“This disease process can go on to affect the kidneys and cause kidney failure with a high probability of fatality. There is no telling which dogs will be affected and whether, if they develop skin lesions, they will go on to develop kidney failure.
“As far as we are aware it cannot be passed from one dog to another.”
For more information, contact your local vet.
All dog owners please be vigilant!
Dog Walk today, just outside Wimborne with Four Paws Dorset Dog Peanut. Getting Wet!
Peanut and I got completely soaked on our walk today but did we mind? No, not a bit!
In fact, Peanut was in his element running through the super deap puddles and attempting to get in every ditch possible! He’s such a character! Simply adorable!
Love my job!
Dorset Dog Rescue: Trading Standards takes action following BBC investigation
8 February 2016
Image is of Julia Liddle.
Inside Out investigated the charity run by founder Julia Liddle.
Trading Standards has taken action against a pet rescue charity which was the subject of a BBC investigation over the illegal import of dogs.
Dorset Dog Rescue will sign a “Formal Undertaking” for Trading Standards not to mislead consumers over selling dogs.
A BBC Inside Out programme in January 2015 highlighted serious concerns over the welfare of imported animals.
Poole Trading Standards said the charity had “improved” since the programme was broadcast.
Inside Out investigated the charity, run by founder Julia Liddle, for illegally importing dogs from the Republic of Ireland.
The programme, broadcast in January 2015, highlighted serious concerns over welfare issues and showed dogs being imported in vans.
Inside Out showed dogs being imported in vans in January 2015.
Poole Trading Standards said the improvement found during its year-long investigation was likely attributable to BBC Inside Out’s probe.
The charity could be prosecuted through the courts if it is found to be in breach of the undertaking.
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has published its findings into a complaint Ms Liddle lodged about the programme.
No part of her complaint was upheld in a 51-page ruling.
Four Paws Dog Max on our Dog Walk this morning. Max can be seen here having a good sniff as we walk alongside the Riven Allen in Wimborne.
Max has come on in leaps and bounds. Max used to be quite nervous, especially towards vehicles, scooters and other dogs, often barking or even growling.
With time and reassurance Max has gained confident and is now a happy, sociable dog!
Well done Max! Star of the week!
Happy Friday Dog Pic to make you Smile!
Woottoo! It’s Friday!
Doing the Happy Friday Dance!
Not my two, they’re just waiting for their breakfast! Typical Terriers!
Love you both!
Almost 40,000 Dogs Seized by UK Local Councils.
Research out today (article end of last year) has revealed that in the first 10 months of 2016, UK councils seized around 127 dogs a day – more than 38,670 total.
Pet insurer, Direct Line, who has released the findings discovered that of those almost a third (11,213 dogs) were rehomed and 1,238 dogs were sadly put to sleep.
The seizure of dogs has been on the decline over the past three years, having peaked in 2014 with 73,503 dogs seized by local councils (201 dogs per day). In 2015, there were 61,339 dogs seized by local councils (168 dogs per day), with the number of seizures this year indicating that we will likely see a continuation of this trend by the end of 2016.
But one constant factor in over the last three years has been that the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has topped the list of the most seized, and most commonly euthanised dog breed, according to Direct Line Pet Insurance.
Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line said: “It is a shame Staffies top the list of the most seized breeds again and again. As with any dog, it takes energy, care and attention to train and Staffies are no exception.”
Adding to the findings, 8 in 10 dogs owners list Staffordshire Bull Terriers as the breed most commonly collected by councils, showing a general awareness of the breeds’ propensity to be abandoned. When asked why they think this is, around two thirds (65 per cent) said because of a lack of education about the dog breed and a lack of understanding about general dog ownership.
Prit Powar continued: “While it is encouraging to see that the number of dogs being seized is reducing significantly year on year, there is still a long way to go. As a nation of dog lovers, there really shouldn’t be tens of thousands of dogs seized each year. Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure they can care for their pet and if they can’t, should take it to a rehoming centre or animal welfare charity, not let it roam the streets.”
Four Paws Dog Peanut on our Dog Walk.
Peanut doing what he likes best, exploring!
What a super Puppy!
