A FOURTH dog is suspected to have caught a potentially deadly disease, which causes fatal liver damage, after walking in West Woods, Marlborough.

Three cocker spaniels came down with lesions, which is the first sign on the disease, after being walked in West Woods last week and now a black Labrador is being monitored at a veterinary hospital in Wroughton for the rare disease, Alabama rot - cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV).

The owner of Mabel the Labrador, Helen Kelly has issued a warning on her Facebook to alert other dog owners after she found a lesion on Mabel’s lower paw yesterday.

It reads: "My gorgeous Mabel is currently in the veterinary hospital in Wroughton with suspected Alabama rot.

“There is no clear test for this disease but the timeline of us walking at West Woods (Tuesday the 8th December) and symptoms appearing make it 'almost certain' in the words of the vet.

“In terms of symptoms to look out for; she has been increasingly lethargic since Saturday and drinking more.

“She has been given a 50/50 chance which is I suppose something to be positive about.

“She will remain on an IV for at least 5 days to monitor her kidney function but frighteningly if her kidney function does start to deteriorate there is nothing they can do for her."

Ms Kelly adds: “I've tried to tell everyone who has walked there recently but I've made this post public so feel free to share it to spread the word.

“Mabel is a young fit and healthy dog so we have to remain hopeful that she will be OK. But I only added up the symptoms by being vigilant (and thanks to all the warnings I had read on Facebook). Please check your dogs and please talk to your vet. Early intervention might make the difference.”

The Forestry Commission, which owns West Woods, has been contacted for a comment.

Read our previous article on what expert vet David Walker has said here.

Huw Stacey, director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, said: ​"We have launched an interactive guide to provide dog owners with information on the disease, including confirmed locations and tips on how to reduce the risk of dogs becoming infected - www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot/ 

"The cause of Alabama rot, clinically known as idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), is still unknown and there is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease.

"This is why we have produced an interactive guide, which follows on from the feature on Alabama rot in our 2014 Vets Report, that helps dog owners understand where in the UK confirmed cases have occurred, how to spot symptoms and tips on reducing the risk of infection.

"The concern among vets in the UK is that unlike the Alabama rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.

"Of course cases are currently extremely rare and this information is aimed at preventing a large scale outbreak by stopping the disease spread and ensuring dogs are kept safe while enjoying the great UK outdoors.”