Symptoms of Alabama Rot / CRGV

Read about Alabama Rot symptoms at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists here. For vets information on CRGV symptoms and treatment here .

As shown in Figure 1 above, all dogs with CRGV have skin lesions. Two-thirds of dogs have symptoms of Anorexia (loss of appetite), vomiting, lethargy, and hypothermia (in later stages). One third of dogs become lame.

One fifth or fewer dogs have symptoms of icterus (jaundice), pyrexia (fever, in initial stages), diarrhoea, petechiae (red or purple spots on the skin caused by bleeding from broken capillary blood vessels), seizures (epileptic) and haematochezia (blood in stools).

Rarely dogs syndromes will include haematemesis (vomiting blood), epistaxis (nosebleed), polyuria (large volume of urine), polydipsia (excessive thirst), ataxia (lack of muscle coordination) and other behavioural changes.

David Walker of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists said on 21st October 2014:

Breed, age or sex

Any breed, age or sex of dog can get Alabama Rot.

Skin Lesions

Dogs with Alabama Rot have a lesion(s) on the back leg (distal limb) or on the face and abdomen (ventrum). Skin lesions may initially appear as superficial erosions and may progress to full ulcers. Initially your dog may lick their foot or leg and it may not be clear what the problem is underneath the fur. Lesion size ranges from 0.5cm (a 5 pence piece) to 5cm (two fifty pence pieces) in diameter. When skin lesions first appear dogs may feel otherwise well (asymptomatic),

Acute Kidney Injury

Over the next one to nine days they develop signs of acute kidney injury - this may include being very thirsty, depressed, off their food or vomiting.

Blood and Urine Samples

Your vet will take blood and urine samples to test for Alabama Rot.