We're back talking about Alabama rot and inaccurate news is disseminated on the incidence and causes of the disease.
The denomination “Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopaty” (CRGV) describes the characteristic presentation of the disease and its course, which determines the initial appearance of skin lesions (mostly below the elbow and knee, and in some cases to the head, tongue and ventral portions of the thorax) and the subsequent acute renal failure. Renal impairment develops after two to seven days from the onset of skin lesions and results in decreased appetite, depression and fatigue and is the leading cause of death in patients with CRGV. Currently, the only therapies which can be instituted are supportive and in cases of acute kidney injury associated with oliguria or anuria, hemodyalisis can be used; plasmapheretic treatment has been successfully set at Royal Veterinary College.
Early identification of renal damage seems to influence the progression of the disease and the owners who suspect their dog is developing CRGV (appearance of skin lesions) must consult their Veterinarian, who will submit the patient to various exams (including evaluation and monitoring of renal function). Tests to certainly identify CRGV aren't available yet and the diagnosis is based on clinical history and histopathological evaluation of the lesions.
The Alabama rot was identified for the first time in ' 80s in the US; at that time, Greyhounds were particularly affected and the disease was defined as "idiopathic", to emphasize the fact that the cause of the illness was unknown. Nonetheless toxics have been assumed among the possible causes (toxins derived from some bacteria) the disease continues to be defined as idiopathic, because the cause remains unknown. Then, useful indications to its prevention are not available at the moment. Dogs that were affected in UK (December 2013) had in common the fact of having walked in wooded areas, although hundreds of other dogs brought in the same areas have not shown any symptoms.
In UK the Government (www.wigan.gov.uk; www.forestry.gov.uk/alabamarot), the Animal Health Trust (www.aht.org.uk/alabamarot) and Veterinarians provide information to the owners and collect data helpful to increase our understanding of the disease.
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