DOG owners have been warned to stop walking dogs in woodland after a fifth dog showed signs of potentially fatal condition Alabama Rot.

Purton Vets are currently treating a female dog which was walked in three wooded areas in Swindon and developed skin lesions typical of the condition.

This is the fifth Wiltshire dog in three weeks to show signs of the condition.

A Purton Vets spokesman said:

“We have seen our first patient with suspected Alabama Rot. The dog was walked in three different areas of Swindon and developed the typical skin lesions. She is doing well and is being closely monitored at the moment.

“The areas of concern include the woods at the polo ground near Coate Water, Stratton Woods and Lydiard Park.

“It's impossible to say where she picked this up and there is no simple test to confirm this diagnosis.

“Our advice to our clients in Purton/Swindon is to stop walking your dogs in all woodlands.

“We don't yet know how or where dogs contract this disease. Geographical location may not prove important, however there may be a link with muddy walks in wooded areas. It makes sense to avoid these areas if possible and wash mud off your dogs after walks.

The rare condition causes skin lesions in dogs, which in some cases can develop into kidney failure and even death.

There is no known cause for the condition, so no vaccine or direct treatment, but catching the condition early can help.

Although there are no direct links to environmental causes, washing the dog’s legs after a walk could help.

Alabama rot symptoms include: 

  • Skin lesions – sometimes circular and about the size of a five pence piece, and often with defect in the skin like an ulcer. They are often on the lower leg, below the knee and elbow.
  • Kidney (renal) failure – vomiting, tiredness and not eating. These are very vague symptoms and can represent a number of other conditions.
  • The average time from showing skin lesions to signs of kidney failure is three days but can be anywhere from 10 days to simultaneous presentation.