Total Dog Magazine

Author: Jasmine Kleine

Cat Injures Two People & a Dog After Attacking 7 Pit Bulls

A cat has injured two people and a dog sending one person and the dog to hospital after ambushing seven Pit Bulls in Victoria, British Columbia.

According to The Vancouver Sun, the cat named Baby suddenly came out of the bushes attacking the group as they walked by.

Kyla Grover, who was with the walking group called Pit Bulls of Victoria B.C, told the newspaper “The dogs were walking by, completely minding their own business. The cat just goes at all of the dogs, not backing down”. She said the cat swiped at them all and even latched onto one of the dog’s faces.

Photo Credit: Facebook.com/Javiera Catalina Rodriguez

The seven Pit Bulls and Pit Bull crosses were all walking on leads and according to Ms Grover didn’t know how to react, only barking after the attack began.

Ms Grover, who was bitten and scratched during the attack, and one of the dogs, Bandida, received injuries so severe that they needed medical assistance. The dog’s owner, Javiera Rodriguez, also received injuries to her hand. She said she was thankful her dog didn’t lose an eye and the cat specifically went after her dog.

Speaking with Victoria Buzz, Ms Rodriguez confirmed her dog is on the mend but says not 100% back to her normal self yet.

Ms Rodriguez tried to report the incident only to be told there is no cat bylaw in the district of Saanich in British Colombia.

A firm opposer of breed specific legislation she told the news outlet, “My concern is what if that cat attacks again? What if it was my “pit bull” that would’ve attacked that cat, or even worst what if my dog would’ve killed that cat to defend herself? Of course Saanich would be at my door deeming my dog dangerous and possibly putting her down.”

The owners of the cat confirm the incident took place with Mrs Thompson who was present and tending her garden at the time (although didn’t intervene, according to witnesses) says she is ‘mystified’ by the public interest, while her husband has confirmed he and his wife have paid Bandida’s veterinary bill of $222 and is quoted in the local newspaper saying “the sight of all the dogs would have been intimidating for his cat. She’s a watchdog and doesn’t know it. Cats and dogs don’t get along too well sometimes.”

August 18, 2016
Is This Dog the Poster Child for Unlucky Dogs Named Charlie?

Meet Charlie. He’s a 12-year-old English Setter cross-breed who lives in London with his two owners. He shares his name with the ‘unluckiest dog name’ in Britain, as revealed by a pet insurer who has released their pet claims data.

According to the Co-op Insurance, dogs named Charlie top the list of most unlucky dogs shortly followed by dogs name Alfie, Bella and Max, with owners of cross-breed dogs more likely to claim on their pet insurance policy.

Here’s his story.

Charlie was born in Italy, lives with his owners Chiara Carella and Antony Adie in London.

Their English Setter cross has had its fair share of bad luck over the years, starting with health issues at the age of 7, when he was diagnosed with Leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection caused by sand flies of the Phlebotomus species. Since then Charlie has suffered from a sensitive tummy, urinary disorder, and very recently a heart condition. He was also bitten once.

Charlie is a regular at the vets for check-ups and is currently on medication for his conditions, always ready to take his tablets, sitting next to Chiara wagging his tail wagging.

His owner Chiara says: “He is a fussy eater. I make him very expensive organic chicken which costs £20 kg, and very often he stares at his food for hours without eating it, driving me crazy. Then we go to the park and he eats all kind of rubbish. I need to be very careful, as he loves rotten meat and bones which can be very dangerous.”

She continued, “It took me some time to convince my husband to bring Charlie over from Italy, however our lives have completely changed having him with us. Despite all his health problems I wouldn’t change him for the world, he makes our days lighter and funnier, and the expressions he makes fills our days with joy.”

Unlucky in health but lucky in love, that’s our verdict. What’s yours?

Data provided by Co-op Insurance

August 16, 2016
Dogs Named Charlie, Poppy & Alfie Have One Thing In Common – Can You Guess What It Is?

This year’s top 10 unluckiest dog names have been announced and yes, you guessed it – dogs named Poppy, Charlie and Alfie are all likely to be more unlucky than dogs named, say, Ben, Albert or Cassie.

Compared to cats, where more males are likely to be unlucky vs females, it’s far more evenly split for dogs with 5 of the top 10 list being girl names and the other 5 being boys, however according to the Co-op Insurance, who released their pet insurance claims data highlighting unlucky pet names, owners of cross-breeds are far more likely to claim on their insurance for their pet when in need.

Top 10 Unluckiest Names for Dogs

1. Charlie
2. Alfie
3. Bella
4. Max
5. Ruby
6. Molly
7. Rosie
8. Oscar (luckier for dogs than it is for cats, as it’s the number 1 unluckiest name for cats)
9. Bailey
10. Poppy

If you own a dog named Charlie, you should know that digestive system disorders are the most claimed for illness for dogs of this name, followed by skin conditions and neurological disorders, such as seizures, head tilt, tremors and even blindness.

David Hampson, Head of Pet Insurance at the Co-op, said: “Any pet can come with its fair share of misfortune, landing you with an unexpected trip to the vets or causing mischief around the house, however based on our claims data Charlie and Oscar certainly aren’t the luckiest names you can give your pet.

“Regardless of the name of your pet, making sure you have a pet insurance policy in place to cover these eventualities can be the best way to protect them and avoid unwanted vet’s bills, or ongoing treatments for life.”

This article is based on research from Co-op Insurance

August 16, 2016
British Dogs Have a Fertility Problem & British Men Could Benefit From It

Dogs in the UK are less fertile than they were 26 years ago according to a new study and this could reveal some interesting findings about male, human fertility.

Changes in environment are thought to be the main cause of the fertility drop.

The study, led by researchers at The University of Nottingham, has discovered that the fertility of dogs may have suffered a sharp decline over the past three decades.

The research, published in the academic journal Scientific Reports, found that sperm quality in a population of stud dogs studied over a 26-year period had fallen significantly.

The work has highlighted a potential link to environmental contaminants, after they were able to demonstrate that chemicals found in the sperm and testes of adult dogs – and in some commercially available pet foods – had a detrimental effect on sperm function at the concentrations detected.

The Guardian reports:

Richard Lea, of Nottingham University’s school of veterinary medicine and science, and colleagues collected samples of semen from a carefully monitored population of Labradors, Border Collies, German shepherds and Golden Retrievers used as stud to breed dogs intended to help the disabled. They tested 1,925 samples of ejaculate from a total of 232 different dogs at the rate of between 42 and 97 dogs every year.

And they found a drop in sperm motility – the ability to swim in a straight line – of 2.4% per year from 1988 to 1998. Even once some dogs were excluded from the study because their fertility was in some way in question, from 2002 to 2014 the scientists still measured a decline of 1.2% per year.

“Why the dog?” said Dr Lea. “Apart from the fact that it is a great population of animals to work with, dogs live in our homes, they sometimes eat the same food, they are exposed to the same environmental contaminants that we are, so the underlying hypothesis is that the dog is really a type of sentinel for human exposure.”

The decline in canine sperm quality does not, for the moment, augur the end of the dog as a species. “It’s very unlikely” Dr Lea said. “It’s very difficult to say at what point this becomes a problem.”

The researchers saw increases in cryptorchidism in the study dogs’ pups over the years. They also saw a clear connection between environmental chemicals and declining fertility. How this might work, however, is not so clear.

“If you think about it, we are exposed to a cocktail. Who knows how many chemicals are out there and what they are doing? It gets even more complicated when you start to look at the effects of mixtures of chemicals,” Dr Lea said.

August 16, 2016
Make Sure Your Pets Are Protected This Summer, as Heatwave Is Expected to Hit UK

As the UK awaits a heatwave, British Paralympic Swimmer and dog owner Harriet Lee has teamed up with pet insurer, Direct Line, to offer words of wisdom to fellow dog owners before she heads off to Rio’s 2016 Games.

During warm weather, it is essential that pets are kept hydrated and aware of the signs of heatstroke. The pet insurer also recommends dog owners, especially those with short haired dogs, regularly apply sun cream to their pets during hot weather.

Swimmer and animal lover Harriet Lee, pictured above with one of her dogs, Bow, highlights the importance of sun protection for dogs with Direct Line Pet Insurance to advise people with short haired dogs to regularly apply dog friendly sun cream when out in warm temperatures. While preparing for the biggest challenge of her sporting career, Harriet has been making time to spend with her beloved dogs, Baya Bear and Bow, who she intends to FaceTime when she can’t be with them.

In research conducted by the insurer, four fifths (79 per cent) of dog owners admit to never putting sun cream on their pet. Even though most dogs have fur, their skin can be incredibly sensitive and need some extra protection against potentially harmful ultraviolet rays.

Harriet’s dog, Baya Bear, pictured above

Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line, said: “With waves of sporadic hot weather hitting the UK, pet owners need to remain vigilant and consider when they may need to introduce sun protection. Short haired dogs have ultra-sensitive skin which is often more susceptible to burning or causing the animal to suffer from heatstroke. To help prevent this, owners should apply sun cream to their dogs regularly for extra protection in warm weather and keep them hydrated and in a well ventilated space.

“Limiting the duration and intensity of exercise during warmer days will also help to combat the effects of heatstroke and overheating. Symptoms of heatstroke evident in dogs include excessive panting, drooling and lethargy.”

August 16, 2016
TV Vet Emma Milne Says ‘Enough is Enough’ British Kennel Club Must Act for Sake of Dog Breed Health

TV vet, author and animal welfare campaigner Emma Milne has made a stinging attack on The Kennel Club (KC) for its unwillingness to tackle a health crisis affecting one of Britain’s best-loved dog breeds, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel saying “Their lack of action is unconscionable when faced with the young deaths and agony so many dogs are enduring. There is no excuse.”

Emma is one of nearly 27,000 dog lovers who have signed an online petition calling for The Kennel Club to make health testing compulsory for the two most serious conditions affecting this popular breed: a heart disease called Mitral valve disease (MVD) and Syringomyelia (SM), a distressing neurological disorder caused by dogs being bred with skulls too small to accommodate the brain.

Writing with typical frankness on her website, Emma says “leaving it up to the breeders is certainly not working” and she calls for testing to become compulsory for registrations with the KC or for showing continuing “If show winners had to prove they were health tested (and passed!) or face elimination, I can tell you that things would change pretty damn quickly.”

Contrasting evidence from countries that do have compulsory health testing for Cavaliers, such as Denmark which has seen a 73 per cent reduction in heart disease in the breed, with the behaviour of top breeders and many in the show world, Emma is in no doubt breeders and breed clubs can no longer be trusted with these adorable spaniels’ welfare.

Pictured above, Clemmie who has Syringomyelia after decompression surgery

She continued in her article, “For decades every vet in the world has known that the prevalence of heart disease in these dogs is through the roof. Shockingly, there is no official heart scheme in the UK to sign up to even for the tiny minority of breeders who care what they breed from,” adding that The Kennel Club has gone quiet on a heart scheme promised back in 2008.

“Heart specialists recommend that Cavaliers should be at least 2.5 years old and free from heart disease before they are bred and that both their parents should be five and free from disease. But wait, the Crufts’ Best of Breed winner THIS year for Cavaliers was under 2 when he won and sired his first litter when he was nine MONTHS old. He had not been tested.”

Emma also cites how in the four years since an official screening scheme for SM was launched only 331 Cavaliers scans have been put forward.

In the same time period, The Kennel Club has registered 20, 429 Cavalier puppies. ‘Enough is enough… it is blatantly clear that this is a problem that goes right to the roots of the KC, the show judges and the breed clubs.’

In the article, Emma also calls on the British Veterinary Association (BVA), which administers The Kennel Club’s health schemes, to do its bit by “distancing itself from the KC until positive change is made. Maybe the BVA can get this heart health scheme started without the KC. It’s time the veterinary profession put real pressure on those responsible to do the right thing,” she insists.

Clarifying about why she felt the need speak, Emma said: “In my 20 years as a vet I have never come across a nasty Cavalier. It breaks my heart to know that these animals are still being bred to die of painful and frightening diseases simply because their breeders do not care enough to health test them. I am so tired of being told the majority of breeders care. This just can’t be true when you look at how many of these animals are still suffering. The show world, the breeding community and the Kennel Club have an absolute duty of care to sort this out. They are all to blame and it’s time they started being properly held accountable for their appalling track record when it comes these much-loved dogs.”

You can read Emma Milne’s article on her website www.emmathevet.co.uk and if you haven’t already, you can add your voice to the petition (here) calling on The Kennel Club to do more.

Not consider, not place in the hands of others and wash their own hands but where they can and have the power, to actually do so because this breed, much beloved by many over the years is suffering and to do nothing and continue as things are should be considered animal cruelty.

August 12, 2016
How Well Do You Know The UK Dog Laws?

This week marks the 25th anniversary of breed specific legislation in the UK and as more organisations, including the RSPCA most recently, call for a repeal of the law, which has seen thousands of dogs taken from their owners never to return, we’d like to ask you what you know about the law and other dog topics which impact the well-being of dogs across the country.

Your voice matters and as dog lovers by sharing views and allowing others to understand thoughts, we can share and change perceptions.

Please share your opinions with us here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/doglaws

Thank you.

August 12, 2016
Two Thirds Pet Owners Opt for ‘Staycation’ with Pets in Tow

According to new research, almost two thirds (65%) of pet owners prefer to holiday at home with their pets joining the family for some much needed R&R.

The findings, released by Direct Line Pet Insurance confirm what we really already knew – that our dogs are a huge part of our family and where we go, they often go with almost half of those who took part in the pet insurer’s survey admitting that their dog always influences their choice of holiday destination.

Speaking of the findings, Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line said: “Our pets are such a big part of our lives that it’s not surprising we are willing to tailor our holidays to accommodate taking them away with us.”

We want to know what you think!

August 12, 2016
A Major City Has Just Permanently Banned the Commercial Sale of Puppies

In news that may have gone unnoticed by many, the city of Los Angeles has implemented a ban on the sale of dogs (cats and rabbits) in an effort to reduce the overpopulation problem in the city’s shelters and dog adoption facilities as well as making an impact on the trade in puppy farmed dogs and pet store puppies.

LA City Council voted the ban in, which prevents the sale of dogs from commercial breeders from selling dogs to the public.

Los Angeles isn’t the first US city to implement such a ban on commercial dog sales but it is most certainly the largest to have taken such decisive measures.

The law was in fact already in place but has now been enshrined as permanent legislation as an attempt to force backyard breeders and puppy farmers out of business as well as reducing the number of homeless dogs from being put to sleep due to overpopulation.

It means retail organisations that sell dogs may only be allowed to work with dogs from an adoption shelter or recognised rescue organisation.

The vote to permanently ban the sale of dogs from non rescue sources was a unanimous one with a 12 to 0 result.

The sale of dogs from pet stores is more common in the US than the UK and since the ban it is reported that pet stores have hosted several dog adoption events and have turned those in to an opportunity to sell pet supplies to their customers.

What’s Your View?

August 10, 2016
WATCH: Jane Goodall Says “Dogs Have Done So Much for Us” in Bid to Change Perception of Dogs in Asia & End Dog Meat Trade

World renowned conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace Dame Jane Goodall has spoken out about the impact dogs have had on her life in the hope of drawing attention to the role man’s best friend plays in our lives and changing the perception of them to end the dog meat trade in Asia.

The video was released by HSI as Dr Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, was unable to attend South Korea’s first ever global anti-dog meat conference and wanted to show her support to the many organisations involved and trying to create a brighter future for Asia’s dogs.

Having previously spoken about the special place dogs have in her heart and how much they’ve taught her since childhood, in the video she expands on this message talking about the impact dogs have on her life and the special role they play across the world to many people, saying: “I’ve always had a great love for dogs. When I was a child, I had a relationship with one who taught me so much about animal behaviour. They’ve been domesticated, they’ve been man’s best friend for maybe 15,000 years or more, and in that time, they’ve done so much for us.”

Dr Goodall continued, “They’ve guarded our belongings, they’ve guarded people, they’ve guided the blind, they’ve helped autistic children to read – this and so much more. And so, to actually kill these wonderful beings for food seems very, very sad for me. And I hope this conference will bring this out into the open, and people will talk about it, and maybe things will change.”

The annual South Korean ritual ‘Bok Nal’ is currently taking place and 1 million dogs are expected to lose their lives for this dated habit. With many of Asia’s dog lovers saying they wish dog meat eating rituals will end, voices like Dr Jane Goodall will hopefully draw attention to the cause and encourage debate among those less forward thinking.

August 10, 2016
Almost Half of Dog Owners Admit Pets Influence Holiday Destination

As more people prepare to take their Summer holidays, a new survey has revealed that almost half of dog owners take their pets needs into account when choosing their holiday destination.

The findings which have been released by pet insurer, Direct Line, show just how much our pets needs shape our lives and that our vacation time is their vacation time.

Almost two-thirds (65%) of pet owners who took part in the research admitted they prefer the ‘staycation’, holidaying at home, but as over a third of vets report an increase in pet passports in the last 12 months it seems more and more pet owners are venturing further afield.

According to the research, the most pet friendly destinations dog owners have visited are; the French resorts La Roche and Les Sables, Nantes in Belgium, Antequera, Spain and Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, which get top marks for choice of dog friendly accommodation, space for dogs to exercise and play and dog friendly restaurants, bars and tourist attractions – some of the most important factors dog owners research when planning a trip.

Prit Powar, head of pet insurance at Direct Line said: “Our pets are such a big part of our lives that it’s not surprising we are willing to tailor our holidays to accommodate taking them away with us. When taking pets abroad, planning in advance is vital. Owners need to have the right documentation, up to date vaccinations and know that where they are staying is accepting of their pets. Getting a tapeworm treatment in the country you are visiting can often be a particular challenge, especially if you don’t speak the language, so do your research beforehand and make sure you know what facilities are available.”

August 9, 2016
25 Years of Breed Specific Legislation Has FAILED & This Report PROVES IT

The RSPCA has released a new report which exposes the ineffectiveness, flaws and negative impact of the breed specific law. This week marks 25 years since the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act (DDA) 1991 which applies breed-specific legislation – BSL – via section 1. The RSPCA is now calling for a Government inquiry into its effectiveness.

This week they have released a report – Breed Specific Legislation: A Dog’s Dinner. This shows the weaknesses in breed specific legislation as it has failed to meet its goals of improving public safety by reducing the number of dog bites and eliminating dogs that are prohibited. Indeed more dog bites are reported now than ever before and the numbers of prohibited dogs continue to rise. Many organisations agree that a breed specific approach is failing to protect public safety as dog bites continue to rise.

It also has a negative impact on dog welfare. Because of section 1 of the DDA, the RSPCA has been forced to put to sleep 366 dogs over the past RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “The police, the RSPCA and other animal rescue organisations have to deal with the consequences of this flawed law by euthanising hundreds of dogs because legislation is forcing us to due to the way they look, despite being suitable for rehoming. Not only is this a huge ethical and welfare issue, it also places significant emotional strain on staff.

“It is the view of the RSPCA, and the public, that every animal’s life matters. “We conclude that breed specific legislation has not achieved its objectives whilst causing unintended harms – a new approach is required.

“The RSPCA believes it is paramount for the Government to launch an inquiry into the effectiveness of BSL, assess other options to improve human safety and dog welfare, and ultimately repeal the breed specific part of the legislation.”

The report raises concerns that there is a lack of evidence to support BSL and that there are also issues around the evidence required to designate a dog as being of prohibited type. There are also concerns over the potential to mislead the public that non-prohibited dogs are always safe, and our primary concern is BSL’s impact on dog welfare and owner suffering.

Despite many countries using BSL, there is a lack of evidence to show that it reduces dog bites. Several studies have shown that BSL has not reduced dog bites in countries abroad. In the UK, an assessment 1 in 1996 – five years after the DDA was enacted – found there had been no significant reduction. In fact, the number of hospital admissions due to dog bites rose from 4,110 (March 2005) to 7,227 (February 2015) 2 and continue to rise – see graph above.

BSL is now being reviewed worldwide and has been reversed by three European governments and many US administrations following studies. A 2010 Defra consultation 3 in England revealed that 88% of respondents felt BSL was not effective in protecting the public, and 71% felt it should be repealed.

Television personality and dog behaviour expert Victoria Stilwell agrees with the RSPCA that BSL is ineffective, outdated and flawed, saying: “BSL tears apart families while punishing innocent dogs and their guardians solely because of a dog’s appearance. Any dog can bite under the right circumstances, so legislation should focus on protecting the public through responsible pet guardianship rather than targeting a particular breed.”

The Dog’s Dinner report shows a number of cases from other countries, including Canada, where a reduction in dog bites has been achieved, not by BSL, but by focusing on improving responsible dog ownership. There are already mechanisms in the legislation to improve human safety. These should be prioritised as well as a focused education campaign, particularly aimed at children.

Welfare concerns As well as being ineffective at protecting public safety, BSL raises serious dog welfare concerns and causes trauma to owners who are affected. “The process of seizing a dog suspected of being prohibited and the stress associated with a kennel environment can compromise the dog’s welfare,” Dr Gaines added.

“The impact on dog welfare and owner wellbeing has been very much hidden but it is clear that BSL comes at a significant cost to many who would not ordinarily come into contact with the police or courts. “Until such time that BSL is repealed, there needs to be urgent action to protect the welfare of dogs affected by this law. In the absence of any evidence to show that BSL is effective in safeguarding public safety, it is the very least that we can do for man’s best friend.”

August 9, 2016
What’s This Disturbing Canine Health Problem That Affects Dogs The Further North They Live?

A condition that makes dogs suffer pain in their tails is more common than previously thought and, strangely, seems to affect dogs the further north they live.

Researchers at Edinburgh University have looked in to the causes of the illness, known as limber tail, which mostly affects larger working dog breeds, such as Labradors.

The scientists say their findings are the first step towards preventing the distressing condition, which causes the tail to become limp and painful.

The studiers compared 38 cases of limber tail that were identified from owners’ reports about their dogs’ health with 86 dogs that had no tail symptoms.

“We were surprised by how many owners were reporting limber tail to us but it meant we had the chance to do a detailed investigation.”

Their goal was to gain insight into habits and lifestyle factors that might explain why some dogs are affected and not others.

The majority of dogs in the study were pets but those affected by limber tail were more likely to be working dogs, they found.
Risk factors

Swimming has previously been thought to be a risk factor for limber tail, which is sometimes known as ‘swimmers’ tail’. Some but not all of the affected dogs had been swimming prior to the onset of symptoms, the study found.

Dogs with the condition were more likely to live in northern areas, lending support to anecdotal reports that limber tail is associated with exposure to the cold.

Genetics

Labradors that had suffered limber tail were more likely to be related to each other than unaffected dogs, which may indicate an underlying genetic risk.

Experts hope that further studies will identify genes associated with the condition, which could one day help breeders to identify animals that are likely to be affected. Over time, this could help to reduce the disease prevalence.

The symptoms usually resolve within a few days or weeks so many cases are not reported to vets. This may be why it has been so underestimated in the past. However, owners report that it can be very painful and distressing for the animals.

We have been able to add evidence to a lot of internet speculation about risk factors and the new findings relating to geographical region and family links give us avenues to pursue in understanding and avoiding the condition.

The study is the first large-scale investigation of limber tail and was conducted as part of the Dogslife project, which follows the health and wellbeing of more than 6000 Labradors from across the UK.

The study, published in the Veterinary Record, was funded by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust. The Roslin Institute receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

August 6, 2016
What Are The Japanese Doing to Their Dogs?

Japanese game shows have a reputation for being, erm, a little different from what we’re used to in the west. Dogs, though, have a very prominent role in Japanese culture. In the west, we’re not immune from following style and grooming trends and our dogs, too, have seen a fair few of these come and go. Dog clothes are a real industry in themselves. Crufts has seen its fair share of interesting cuts – Poodles probably being the most notable beneficiaries / victims – but what about dogs as….cubes?

It begins here…

Now then, what’s taking ‘shape’ here?

Erm?

What?

The?

Fudge?

Cuboid canines eh?

Are you a fan?

August 5, 2016
Vet Says Wash Dogs After Walks to Avoid Alabama Rot Dangers

As the number of dogs who have lost their lives due to the deadly disease, Alabama Rot, continues to rise dog owners are being told to wash their dogs after walks if walking in muddy or woodland areas.

The disease, which has taken the lives of almost 80 dogs in the last four years is no longer contained in Southern England but has been identified in the Midlands, Lancashire, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

Symptoms of the dogs affected by the disease has risen since 2012 across the UK with outbreaks concentrated predominantly in countryside/woodland areas, but was first identified in the US in the 1980s.

Although thought to be environmentally based with dangers heightened in woodlands, the cause of this disease is still unknown, and only one in three dogs are likely to survive, even if they receive rapid treatment.

Here’s how to spot the signs of Alabama Rot:

Owners are asked to remain vigilant for sores and lesions as well as signs which may point to kidney failure, including vomiting, reduced appetite and tiredness, but if you suspect your dog might have been affected then you should contact your vet immediately.

Find out more about What Alabama Rot Is on K9Magazine.com.

August 5, 2016