DOG OWNERS are being warned against a new strand of disease that is hitting the animals in the local area.

Alabama Rot, a deadly disease found in dogs, attacks the blood vessels of the skin and kidneys, and has an alarming rate of killing 80 per cent of its victims.

Mary Kim, a Bracknell vet at Moor Cottage Veterinary Hospital, has issued advice for dog owners in the area, after it was discovered that there has been 29 cases confirmed this year already, compared to 40 during the entirety of 2017.

“Alabama Rot, or idiopathic cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV) as it’s clinically known, is a very dangerous disease which often proves fatal.

“It was unheard of in the UK until 2012 but since then the number of cases has grown steadily so dog owners need to be alert to the dangers and the symptoms.

“Muddy, marshy and swampy spots are the most dangerous, so people should keep their dogs on leads in these areas.

“If their animals do stray into the mud then, as a precaution, the dog should be washed down thoroughly as soon as they are home because this is not a disease to be taken lightly.”

If anyone suspects their dog could be suffering from Alabama Rot, they are encouraged to contact a local vet immediately.

Early symptoms of the disease are usually found on the legs, chest, or abdomen, and can take the form of sores and skin lesions, which can cause great pain and distress to the dog.

The disease accelerates dramatically, and most dogs start showing signs in the first few days.

Notable effects include vomiting, reduced hunger, and unusual fatigue. These can all be outward signs of severe kidney failure.