ONE of the cocker spaniels suspected of having Alabama rot after walking in West Woods, Marlborough has returned home.

The dog is not showing any signs of kidney deterioration, which is a symptom of the deadly disease and is being given medication, as well as having further blood tests.

The owner’s other cocker spaniel had to be put to sleep last week after she suffered fatal kidney damage. She was being treated at the Royal Veterinary College in London and underwent plasma exchange and dialysis but sadly it was not successful.

The heartbroken owner from Swindon, who does not want to be named but wants to warn other dog owners about the disease, went to West Woods with a friend from Marlborough, who also took her cocker spaniel to the woodlands.

That dog was also being monitored for suspected Alabama rot at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester, but the condition of the dog is not known.

Meanwhile, Helen Kelly the owner of Mabel the black labrador has thanked people for their support and kind words.

Mabel is the fourth dog suspected of having the disease after being walked in West Woods, but may have avoided any kidney injury. However, she is still suffering from lesions and is at a specialist centre while her family wait to hear if she can come home.

Ms Kelly posted on Facebook: “I just wanted to say thank you for all the lovely support we have had for Mabel who is still being treated for suspected Alabama rot.

“She is now being treated at Anderson Moores specialist unit in Winchester and I have just taken the children to visit her.

“She's still on an IV and is still developing lesions, however her latest blood results suggest that she may have avoided an acute kidney injury.

“We aren't out of the woods yet (poor pun not intended) but we remain hopeful that she got treatment early enough to help her.

“Thank you to everyone who has contacted us and been so kind to the children. Much appreciated.”

It is not known how the rare disease, which causes fatal kidney failure, is caused or how it can be prevented, but it is thought to be picked up on paws and legs on muddy walks and lesions are the first sign a dog could have it.

There has only been 60 confirmed cases in the UK.