Alabama Rot: The Deadly Dog Disease Most Pet Parents Have Never Heard Of

You’ve probably never heard of Alabama rot. With a survival rate of just 10 percent once kidneys are affected, the thankfully rare disease is one of the most lethal conditions dogs can catch in the UK today, but most pet parents aren’t even aware it exists.

But what makes Alabama rot so devastating is by the time you notice something’s wrong with your dog, they could already be fighting for their life. 

One dog parents who lost their Cocker Spaniel to the disease told the BBC: “I had not spoken to anyone who had heard of it”. Another described watching their Whippet go from “fit as a flea” to desperately ill in just three weeks. Unfortunately, these stories aren’t rare exceptions – they’re becoming an increasingly alarming pattern every winter. The question is: would you know how to spot the signs?

And as we enter peak season for the disease, vets are urging pet parents to learn the warning signs and symptoms of Alabama rotbefore it’s too late.

What is Alabama rot?

Alabama rot is a rare but potentially fatal disease that damages the blood vessels in your dog’s skin and kidneys, and has been affecting dogs across the UK since 2012. Despite its name (gained after Greyhounds developed the disease at an Alabama dog racing park in the 1980s), this is very much a British problem.

It is also known as ‘cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy’, which is quite the mouthful, so is commonly shortened to CRGV. ‘Cutaneous’ refers to the skin, ‘renal’ and ‘glomerular’ to the kidneys, and ‘vasculopathy’ to the blood vessels. Alabama rot causes tiny clots to form in the smallest blood vessels in your dog’s body causing injury to the skin and kidneys.

The disease typically appears in winter and spring, most commonly from November to May, with a clear seasonal pattern linked to environmental factors. As David Bennett from the New Forest Dog Owners Group explains: “It’s hugely unlikely that a dog will catch Alabama rot, but the fear for owners is disproportionate because the effects are so devastating.”

In the US, there haven’t been any reported cases since the original outbreak in the 1980s.

What causes Alabama rot?

The exact cause remains unknown, though research is making progress. A bacterium believed to be causing CRGV has been isolated by researchers but not yet identified. Veterinary specialists believe the disease could be caused by bacteria or a toxin. Recent studies hint at the existence of an E. coli bacterial strain that produces toxins, which flourish in wet and muddy soils during cold, wetter weather conditions.

”The bacteria that are the main culprits in this disease are usually linked to the toxins produced by Escherichia coli. The dogs that are walking through infected ground are more likely to get minor cuts or scratches on their paws or legs, which in turn gives an opening for these toxins to enter,” veterinarian Dr Iryna Smyrnova told The Independent.

The disease has been strongly linked to walking in muddy, woodland areas, with a large proportion of cases occurring in the New Forest and Manchester areas. However, cases have been reported across the UK. It is not yet known how the disease arrived in the UK or whether the bacteria exists in the environment.

What are the symptoms of Alabama rot?

According to Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, typical signs include:

Skin lesions

Dogs typically develop ulcers or sores on their feet or lower legs. These ulcers can vary in size, number and severity. Some appear as mild reddening of the skin, whilst others resemble small cuts. If your dog has long hair or you haven’t noticed the sore, then you may see them licking their feet excessively.

Whilst most sores appear on the feet, some dogs develop ulcers on the face, belly, chest, abdomen or even in their mouth. These ulcers can easily be mistaken for a cut or sting, however they appear suddenly without an injury to cause them. In a few cases the ulcers can be large and cause severe swelling of the affected leg. For most dogs, skin ulcers are the only symptom and they tend to recover well.

Signs of kidney involvement

Unfortunately, others will go on to develop kidney failure, also known as acute kidney injury. If this happens, your pet will be very quiet, they may not want to eat and will often drool or vomit. They will drink excessively, in some cases without urinating. These symptoms can develop at the same time as the ulcers or some days later.

If your dog shows any changes in appetite, reduced appetite, drinking more, vomiting or lethargy, these could be signs of acute kidney injury and you should contact your vet immediately for advice. Lab tests will show an increase in kidney enzymes and protein in the urine. Unfortunately, only 10 percent of dogs that go on to develop kidney disease do not survive. Why some dogs go on to develop a more severe version of the disease is currently unknown.

What to do if your dog is showing symptoms of Alabama rot

Contact your vet straight away. For dogs that go on to develop kidney failure, early identification and early treatment is the best chance they have of surviving.

How common is Alabama rot?

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t something pet parents want to hear: we don’t really know. Between 2012 and November 2025, 330 cases of CRGV have been confirmed across the UK. In 2024, there were 19 confirmed cases. In 2025, two cases have been recorded so far.

However, diagnosis is usually only confirmed at post-mortem. That means that every confirmed case of Alabama rot represents a dog that sadly didn’t make it. The real number of dogs affected is almost certainly much higher, as many dogs may experience mild skin sores and recover without ever being formally diagnosed with CRGV.

Undeniably, CRGV has the potential to be a very serious disease, affecting all breeds of dog without discriminating between age or gender. What makes Alabama rot particularly terrifying is how little we understand about it; we don’t know why dogs become affected or which dogs will go on to develop life threatening disease. For this reason it is hard to advise how we can best protect our dogs.

As one dog parent told the BBC after losing their pet: “It just comes out of nowhere”.

Is there an Alabama Rot map?

Anderson Moores, the veterinary specialists leading the research into CRGV, have a live map of confirmed cases on their website.

Treatment and management of Alabama rot

The harsh reality is there is no cure for Alabama rot – that what makes it so devastating. Dogs with skin sores that don’t progress to kidney involvement so tend to recover, though sores can take months to heal. Your vet may prescribe pain relief and antibiotics and apply dressings to affected areas.

But if the disease reaches the kidneys, you’re facing a 90 percent chance of losing your dog. Those in the lucky 10 percent who survive require early, aggressive treatment and intensive veterinary care. Due to the rare and challenging nature of the condition, your vet will likely recommend referral to a specialist centre such as Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester, who have dealt with numerous cases across Oxford, Dorset, Berkshire and Hampshire.

Joshua Walker, lead clinician in internal medicine at Anderson Moores, told the BBC that research is progressing: ‘“The research at the moment is promising that we’ll be able to identify a cause in the future.” If a cause is identified, vets could develop further testing and treatment protocols.

“Unfortunately, a lot of the time with humans with similar conditions, the treatments are incredibly challenging, incredibly expensive and may not be available for dogs,” Walker explained to the BBC. “But the more we understand, the more we can work out ‘OK this small change might improve the outcome’.”

For now, early detection remains the only real defence.

How to prevent Alabama rot

Unfortunately, as the exact cause of Alabama rot is not confirmed, reliable advice on prevention is challenging. There is currently no evidence suggesting that it passes from dog to dog, and as far as we know it is not contagious.

Veterinary experts recommend the following precautions, particularly during the high-risk period from November to May:

• Avoid high-risk areas: where possible, stay away from muddy woodland areas, fields and other wet, vegetated areas throughout the high-risk period, especially after rainfall.

• Clean your dog thoroughly: wash your dog following muddy walks, paying particular attention to their lower legs and paws. Clean and disinfect any areas with skin abrasions right after the walk to minimise the chances of toxins entering through small wounds.

• Check regularly: vigilance and awareness is key. Check your dog’s legs for sores after long, muddy, woodland walks. This allows early detection of any suspicious sores, enabling treatment to be started sooner.

• Spread awareness: make sure other dog parents and walkers have heard of the condition.

Remember, most cuts are nothing to worry about and CRGV is a very rare condition. However, if you find a sore that has appeared without injury, speak to your vet about it. If symptoms such as vomiting and lethargy develop around the same time, this could indicate a problem with the kidneys, in which case prompt veterinary treatment should always be sought.

Frequently asked questions: Alabama rot in dogs

What are the first symptoms of Alabama rot in dogs?

Dogs with Alabama Rot typically develop ulcers on their feet or lower legs. Some will appear as a mild reddening of the skin, others might look like small cuts. They can vary in number, size and severity. Some dogs may develop ulcers on the face, belly or even tongue. These ulcers can be mistaken for a cut or a sting, however they will appear suddenly and without any apparent cause.

How do you treat Alabama rot in dogs?

Because little is known about Alabama rot, an effective treatment has yet to be developed. If the dog’s condition remains on the skin and doesn't affect the kidneys, the sores will heal by themselves, although it may take months. Vets may dress the wound and prescribe pain relief and antibiotics to help.

If the disease extends to the kidneys, early and aggressive treatment is needed and your vet may refer you to a specialist.

Where do dogs pick up Alabama rot?

It is not known what causes Alabama rot so exactly where dogs get Alabama rot from has not been confirmed. However, there have been links made to walking your dog in a wooded, muddy area. A large proportion of the cases have been around Manchester and the New Forest.

Do dogs lick Alabama rot?

Dogs lick injuries or sores on their skin and dogs suffering from Alabama rot will likely develop ulcers or sores on their legs and feet. For dogs with long hair that covers their skin, your dog licking themselves excessively might even be your first sign that an ulcer has appeared.

When is Alabama rot season?

Alabama rot is most prevalent between November and May, with 90 percent of cases occurring during these winter and spring months. The cold, wetter weather conditions create an environment where bacteria can thrive, making this period the highest-risk time for dog owners.

References

“CRGV: Information & Questions.” Alabama Rot, Anderson Moores, 11 June 2024

“Alabama Rot.” Vets4Pets, Vets4Pets, 3 June 2019

Palmer, Jo, “Alabama Rot ‘Devastating and Comes Out of Nowhere’.” BBC News, 18 November 2025.

Uddin, Shaheena, “Alabama Rot: Urgent Warning for Dog Owners Over Deadly Virus.” The Independent, 19 November 2025.

Skulberg, Ragnhild, et al. “Description of the Use of Plasma Exchange in Dogs with Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy.” Frontiers, Frontiers, 26 June 2018

Ministry of Defence. “Alabama Rot.” GOV.UK, GOV.UK, 18 June 2024.

“Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy a.k.a. ‘Alabama Rot’ in the UK – Frequently Asked Questions.” RVC, 4 April 2024.

“About the Disease - FAQ.” Stop Alabama Rot. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

“Debunking Common Myths & Misconceptions - Alabama Rot.” Alabama Rot, 19 Dec. 2022.

Holm, L. P., et al. “Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy as a Cause of Acute Kidney Injury in Dogs in the UK.” Veterinary Record, vol. 176, no. 15, 11 Apr. 2015, pp. 384–384.

Holm, L.P., et al. “Pathology and Epidem iology of Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy in Dogs.” Journal of Comparative Pathology, vol. 176, Apr. 2020, pp. 156–161.

Royal Veterinary College, “RVC Makes Breakthrough in Treatment of Deadly “Alabama Rot” Dog Disease.” Rvc.ac.uk, 10 Aug. 2023.

Walker, Joshua. “Alabama Rot: What Dog Owners Need to Know.” British Veterinary Association, 21 Mar. 2024. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.