A LYDNEY vet joined forces with a local dog trainer on Saturday (February 24) to send out the message that the Forest is a safe place to walk your dog, following cases of deadly disease Alabama Rot.

Mark Hinds, of Severnside Vets in Lydney and Ali Taylor, from Lydney, who runs Ali T dog training and socialising in the Forest met at the Speech House Arboretum and walked in the surrounding woods with around 14 of Ali’s clients and their dogs.

Ali told the Review: “I run my sessions outside, as it’s a natural environment, but I’m finding some clients are staying away as they are worried about their dogs catching Alabama Rot.

“This is worrying as exercise is so important to dogs. The risk of catching the disease is incredibly low, but dogs that aren’t walked regularly can suffer from behavioural problems and even obesity. It’s a real concern.

“While it was great to see so many dogs out walking on Saturday, I know that some of my clients stayed away. They’ll walk their dogs on local playing fields, but not in the woods. We want to challenge this attitude.

“I walked my boxer Tinka-belle and my French bulldog Frankie on Saturday and Mark brought his dog along. He talked to my clients to send out the message loud and clear that we should all still be walking our dogs.”

Two cases of cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, known as Alabama Rot, have been confirmed in the Forest this year with more suspected. The disease, which causes kidney failure and often death, is more common in winter and spring and some scientists believe it may be spread through mud, but this has not been proved.

Alison added: “Mark spoke for 10 to 15 minutes about the disease and answered questions about it. His main message was that dog owners shouldn’t panic and should carry on as normal.

“While we were walking we met a lady out with her dog. Her friend’s dog was one of those that died, but she’s still walking her dog. If your dog gets Alabama Rot, it’s just very, very unlucky.”

Mark agreed, saying: “There have been two local cases that we know of and there is a very small risk of your dog catching this disease, but the Forest is very much still open to dogs.

“Nothing has changed and no one is saying that particular areas should be avoided.

“Even if there are two or three cases in one area, no one has any idea what the exclusion area should be. It is spread across the country and most dogs are completely unaffected.

“The benefits of exercise for your dog definitely outweigh the risks and it is important that you walk your dog. At the moment there is very little evidence to suggest you should change your normal behaviour. Do I wash my dog’s feet after a walk? Only if they’re too dirty to come in the house, but if you do wash their paws, at least you know you’re doing something.”

For more advice on Alabama Rot, visit www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot