Warning as whippet dies from 'devastating' disease

Shaun Reynolds' dog Willow died of Alabama rot in March 2024

A man who lost his dog to a rare disease is raising money for research into the condition.

Shaun Reynolds' whippet, Willow, died from Alabama rot in March 2024, a rare disease with only a 10% survival rate.

The cause is unknown, but researchers believe it could be caused by a bacteria or toxin and that walking in wet, muddy conditions may somehow be linked.

Mr Reynolds said losing Willow was "devastating" and he is holding an event at Lambourn Sports Club in Berkshire to raise awareness and money for researching the disease.

Mr Reynolds said Willow was "fit and healthy" before she became ill

Willow's first symptom was a limp that was initially treated as a fracture and infection, Mr Reynolds said.

"She had an initial round of treatment and after five days you'd be hard pressed to know there was anything wrong with her," he said.

"Then a skin sore appeared, which is one of the main symptoms of Alabama rot."

She was treated in intensive care at Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists in Winchester, Hampshire, and seemed to recover, but then she went downhill again.

She developed kidney failure and died on 5 March 2024.

"She went from being fit and healthy to dead in three weeks," said Mr Reynolds.

"It was devastating."

How to recognise Alabama rot

The following are typical signs of Alabama rot:

• Skin sores, visible swelling, red patch or skin defects not caused by a known injury. These skin lesions typically appear below the knee or elbow, and occasionally on the face or at the bottom of the chest or abdomen.

• Changes in appetite - reduced appetite, drinking more, vomiting and lethargy are signs of acute kidney injury.

• Remember, the majority of visible skin lesions will not be caused by Alabama rot disease, and most cases of kidney failure will be a result of another cause.

Source: Anderson Moores

Willow was a champion racer, Mr Reynolds said

Mr Reynolds said he was aware of the disease and took precautions, including washing Willow's paws after a wet muddy walk.

He said that when Willow was being treated people would ask about her, but only about half of them knew what Alabama rot was.

"Whatever the outcome, I wanted to raise awareness and funds," he said.

He initially set out to raise £10,000, but has now hit £15,000 and wants to increase that to £20,000 at a fundraiser at Lambourn Sports Club on 14 September.

The event will see the football field turned into a race track in honour of Willow, who was a champion racer.

There will also be family games, a silent auction, a raffle and a live Irish band, Mr Reynolds said.