A KILLER dog disease has reared its head once again in the Forest of Dean.

A pet from Coleford was diagnosed with Alabama Rot, which can lead to skin ulceration and kidney failure, and sadly died.

Owners are being urged to “remain calm but vigilant” after the latest case of the disease was confirmed by veterinary specialists.

The dog was treated by Mr Mark Hines of the Severnside veterinary practice in Lydney, who sent samples to Anderson Moores specialist referral centre for analysis.

Mr Hines said it is not known how the greyhound contracted the disease which kills eight in 10 of affected animals.

Mr Hines said: “Alabama Rot – or more accurately CRGV or cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy – is still very rare.

“We do not know how this dog contrac- ted it, but my advice to other dog owners would be not to panic and not to change their routine.

“If you have a regular walk for your dog, then carry on doing it.”

The latest case follows the deaths of three dogs from the disease in the Forest in 2018.

It is one of two new cases confirmed by Anderson Moores following another diagnosis in Wiltshire.

Experts from the Winchester-based referral centre say that while there is no need for dog owners to panic, those concerned should seek advice from local vets as well as national authorities.

The UK’s leading expert on the condition, David Walker, said: “We are sad to announce more cases from 2019, as we start to enter the time of year when cases are most common.

“Further confirmed cases mean it is understandably worrying for dog owners.

“However, this disease is still very rare, so we’re advising dog owners to stay calm but vigilant, and seek advice from their local vet if their dog develops unexplained skin lesions.

“There is no known way to prevent a dog from contracting the disease currently, but concerned dog owners should visit www.vets4pets.com/stop-al

abama-rot for advice and a map of confirmed cases.”

The two new cases are the first to be confirmed since June, with 14 other cases identified this year.

There have been a total of 191 cases confirmed across 39 counties since the first UK diagnosis in 2012.

Owners are being advised to check their dogs for skin lesions, described as distinct swelling, a patch of red skin, or open and ulcer-like, by national veterinary healthcare service Vets4Pets.

The service has created an online guide to provide more information about the disease, called StopAlabamaRot.

The guide advises owners to wash off any woodland mud after walks as it is thought the disease could be picked up on paws and legs.

Dr Huw Stacey, vet and director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, says owners should contact their vet if they have any doubts at all.

“While it is understandable that dog owners will be worried by Alabama Rot, it is still a very rare disease and we’d encourage owners to continue exercising their pet.

“If a dog becomes affected, the best chance of recovery lies with early and intensive veterinary care at a specialist facility such as Anderson Moores. 

“Treatment is supportive, but is only successful in around 20 percent of cases, which is why we’re encouraging all dog owners to use the online interactive guide to help them understand the clinical signs and confirmed locations of the condition, and visit a vet if they have any concerns,” he added.