UK dog owners are being warned of a "flesh-eating disease" spreading across the country.

Cases of Alabama rot, also known as CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy), have hiked, sparking concern among pet owners.

The disease, though rare, is potentially life-threatening, damaging blood vessels in a dog's skin and kidneys.

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Symptoms include ulcers or sores, typically on the lower leg, which can lead to often fatal kidney failure.

The exact cause of Alabama rot remains unknown, but most reports come from dog owners who walk their pets in the countryside, with cases more common in winter and spring.

The disease, first reported in America in the 1980s, was initially thought to only affect greyhounds but is now understood to impact all breeds, ages, and sizes of dogs.

Kennel Store, a dog care expert, advises owners to wash all mud off their pets following wet and muddy walks, particularly in woodland areas.

There is no specific treatment for Alabama rot due to the unknown cause, making early veterinary intervention crucial if symptoms appear.

Owners are urged to be vigilant for signs such as skin ulcers, changes in appetite, excessive drinking, vomiting, and lethargy, which are indicators of acute kidney injury.