What Is Alabama Rot?

By Gareth Olyott
By Gareth Olyott

You might have heard the term Alabama rot from friends at the park or seen it mentioned online. Some people will have come across it on morning TV, presented in a way that makes it sound far more common than it is. So let me explain what it actually is and what it means for you as a guardian.

What causes Alabama Rot

At the moment, the cause is still unknown. Research is ongoing, and only a small number of cases have been confirmed each year since 2012. Most reported cases have come from dogs who walk in countryside or woodland areas, and they tend to appear in the colder months rather than summer.

That alone tells you how uncommon it is.

What does it look like?

Dogs pick up scrapes, bites, irritations, and patches of sore skin all the time. The vast majority will have nothing to do with Alabama rot. But there are some signs worth knowing.

Small sores or swollen red patches with no clear injury. Lesions below the knee or elbow. Occasionally on the face, chest, or underside. These are the areas most often associated with the disease.

In rarer cases where the kidneys are affected, you might see changes in appetite, drinking more than usual, vomiting, or unusual lethargy. These are signs of acute kidney injury, which can come from many causes, not just Alabama rot.

So a sore does not mean your dog has it. A kidney issue does not mean it either. Most cases have nothing to do with this disease.

How common is it? A sense of proportion

If we look at the numbers, there have been roughly three hundred confirmed cases of Alabama rot in the UK since 2012. With an estimated nine million dogs in the country, that works out to a very small percentage. Even taking into account that not every case will be logged, it gives a sense of proportion. The risk exists, but it is extremely low, and this calculation is only there to help guardians understand the scale. Awareness matters. Panic doesn’t.

Can you avoid it?

There is no confirmed way to prevent Alabama rot because we still do not know the cause. The best advice from specialists is simple. After muddy walks, especially in woodland, wash your dog’s legs and underside to remove any remaining mud.

For what it is worth, I walk in the countryside every day with Penne. He is low to the ground, so he collects half the landscape on his chest and legs. I have built the habit of giving him a proper clean before he comes back into the main part of the house. It is not a cure or a guarantee. It is just a sensible routine that keeps him comfortable and reduces the little things that build up on his skin.

It is a small habit that does no harm and may offer some benefit.

What should you do if you are worried?

If your dog develops an unexplained sore or starts showing signs of illness, speak to your vet. Early recognition and prompt treatment offer the best chance of a good outcome in the small number of cases that do occur.

Should you be worried?

Realistically, no. Thousands of dogs walk in the countryside every single day, and only a very small number have ever been affected. The threat is low, and there is nothing to suggest that one area is safer than another.

Worry does not help your dog, but awareness does. As guardians, our role is to stay informed without becoming fearful.

If you want to read more, specialist vets like Anderson Moores have useful guidance, and the Alabama Rot Research Fund is supporting ongoing research.

A guardian’s perspective

Living with a dog brings responsibility as well as joy. Part of guardianship is knowing what to look out for, making sensible choices, and not spiralling into fear about rare possibilities. We keep our dogs safe by staying aware, not anxious.

The risk is low. The awareness helps. And your dog still deserves every walk, every adventure, and every muddy woodland trail.