CRGV (Cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy), sometimes known as Alabama Rot, is a disease that has been increasingly discussed within the veterinary profession. However, many vets may not be aware that prevalence of the disease has been steadily increasing across all regions of the UK.
Since November 2012, 177 cases have been reported, with more than 90 percent falling between the months of November and May. However, the cause of CRGV, which often presents as ulcerations to the dog’s skin and can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) and potentially death, remains unknown.
In a bid to gain vital insight into the disease CRGV and what may be causing it, researchers and the RVC are calling upon vets to contact Anderson Moores with any suspected cases seen in practice.
David Walker BVetMed (Hons) DipACVIM DipECVIM-CA from Anderson Moores is helping lead this much needed research: “CRGV is a disease that impacts lots of breeds across the UK. Reports show there is seasonality to the disease and therefore an environmental cause is a possible component in its development.
“This research is part of the puzzle and will hopefully help to guide further work on this disease. By collecting more information on confirmed cases, such as walking habits and diet, we hope to build more understanding in order to better protect pets and inform treatment decisions”
To gather this vital information, Anderson Moores are asking vets to share a simple 10-minute online survey with the owners of dogs in which CRGV has been confirmed, as well as some control dogs following criteria provided with the survey link.
David Walker explains: “Many pet owners are aware of this disease and are concerned for their pets; if they are asked to help they are usually happy to do so. By offering a direct link to the survey, very little of the veterinarian’s time is needed to collate the information.”
How to enter
Vets are being asked to contact Anderson Moores with any suspected cases of CRGV. If the pet does not survive, then histopathologic assessment of tissue will be performed free of charge to confirm the diagnosis.
In confirmed cases the veterinarian will then be sent a link to a 10-minute survey to be completed by the owner.
Along with encouraging the owner of the confirmed case to take part, four unaffected control cases from the same clinic, on the same day, will also need to be recruited.
When a set of five qualifying surveys (one confirmed case and 4 control cases) are provided, practices can claim an Amazon Echo Dot, provided by Bayer as a thankyou for helping with this vital research.
If you have a suspected case, contact Anderson Moores on 01962 767920 or email medicine@andersonmoores.com