VETS have warned dog owners to be vigilant after further cases of deadly Alabama rot were confirmed.

A veterinary surgery spoke out after further cases of the life-threatening condition were confirmed in Devon, Monmouthshire and Cumbria.

In the space of three weeks last year, five dogs developed skin lesions typical of the condition, with one put to sleep due to renal failure.

Alabama rot claimed the life of cocker spaniel Pippa. Pippa, along with fellow cocker spaniel Molly developed skin lesions after being walked in West Woods, Marlborough. A post-mortem on Pippa confirmed Alabama rot.

Black Labrador Mabel, also developed lesions when walked through West Woods near Marlborough. She survived.

A young doberman developed severe sores on the legs and lip after being after being walked in three woodland areas of Swindon - Lydiard Park, Coate Water and Stratton Woods.

After ten days in veterinary hospital the dog recovered.

Alabama rot can only be confirmed through removing a portion of the kidney from a deceased dog or by performing a biopsy.

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.

Grahame Pack, clinical director at Purton Veterinary Group advised pet owners to avoid walking their dogs in woodland, as all five dogs affected last year had walked through woods in Marlborough and Swindon shortly before they fell ill.

A post on the vets' Facebook page urged dog owners to seek medical advice if their dogs developed sores or ulcers.

“Unfortunately there have been a few cases of Alabama Rot confirmed recently in Cumbria, Monmouthshire and Devon, please take extra care to observe your dogs for the signs of this disease this winter," it said.

“We still don't know what causes the disease or how it is contracted.

“Our advice is to wash the mud off your dogs after a walk. Locally the only confirmed cases occurred last year and seemed to be associated with West Woods near Marlborough.

“Our vet Graeme avoids walking his dogs in muddy woodlands in winter (although the link with woodland and mud remains uncertain)

“It is important for dog owners to be able to recognise the warning signs of Alabama rot, which are unexplained sores or ulcers in the skin on the legs or the body that seem to just appear. The skin around the sores can be redder than normal.

“What happens next is variable. Either they resolve or the dog develops severe kidney failure.

“If you see unexplained ulcers or sores then get them checked."

Winchester-based Anderson-Moores veterinary specialists is currently conducting research into the condition.

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.

For information on how to spot the disease and to see a map showing the recent cases visit alabamarot.co.uk