A breakthrough in the treatment of deadly dog disease Alabama rot has been made, the Royal Veterinary College has announced.

The disease, properly known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), first emerged in Alabama in the 1980s, but a lack of understanding on how it spreads has led to hundreds of dog deaths.

According to the RVC, Alabama Rot causes small clots in blood vessels, which eventually result in skin ulcers, tissue damage, and kidney failure.

A groundbreaking discovery means a treatment known as therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) or ‘plasmapheresis' can be offered at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals in Hertfordshire.

This method involves filtering all the patient’s blood so that toxic substances, including whatever causes CRGV, are removed. Once filtered, the blood is returned to the patient.

Its development was made possible by the discovery of the similarities between Alabama rot in dogs and thrombotic microangiopathy in humans, which is also treated with plasma exchange.

The RVC clinicians reported two out of six dogs who underwent plasmapheresis made a full recovery.

Dr Stefano Cortellini, an author of the study and lecturer in emergency and critical care at the RVC, said: “Despite the fact that only a third of dogs treated with TPE recovered from their disease, this is the first time that dogs so severely affected by CRGV have been reported to survive and so we remain optimistic that TPE may play an important role in the treatment of this deadly disease.”

But what is it and how can you spot it?

What is Alabama rot?

Alabama rot is a disease that is fatal in nine out of 10 dogs, it can affect any dog and is not specific to a type. In the last five years there has been 56 confirmed cases of Alabama rot across the UK.

Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV or Alabama rot) cause lesions on skin and occasionally in the mouth. These lesions can look like bites, sores, wounds or stings, but some dogs can develop life threatening kidney failure.

CRGV is a disease caused by damage to blood vessels of the skin and kidney, which causes tiny blood vessels, which can ultimately lead to damage of the affected tissue.

In the skin this causes ulceration, however in the kidney it can lead to severe organ dysfunction.

What symptoms should you look out for?

The first symptoms of Alabama rot are skin lesions, ulcers or sores, not caused by any known injury. The dog will lick at the sores. Within days, dogs get symptoms of acute kidney injury (vomiting, reduced hunger or unusual tiredness).

What causes Alabama rot?

At the moment the causes remain unknown by investigations are ongoing. Many possible causes, such as common bacterial infections and exposure to toxins, have been ruled out.

Therefore there is also no vaccine and no way of preventing it.

What should I do if I think my dog has symptoms?

If you see your dog licking any skin lesion then you should take them to the vet without delay, even if you have to call the out of hours vet. They will then confirm if it is indeed Alabama rot. The quicker the treatment can get started, the more likely they are to survive.