A DOG has died after walking in a popular beauty spot in a suspected case of Alabama Rot.

The greyhound died just a few days after walking in the Ashdown Forest, Lingfield Lodge Veterinary Clinic confirmed.

The practice, based in Kent, says it is awaiting post-mortem results to confirm the cause of death as Alabama Rot, but it is warning dog walkers to take extra care.

In a post on Facebook, the vet said: “We are very sad to say we have had a possible case of CRGV (Alabama Rot).

“Sadly, the greyhound passed away a few days after his walk on the Ashdown Forest.

“We are still awaiting the results of the post-mortem to confirm – this may take a few weeks.

“We have seen a few posts claiming this is fake news, it certainly isn’t, it is just unconfirmed at this time.

“We don’t wish to panic or alarm anyone, and we shall update this post when the results are in. Just be vigilant.”

The Ashdown Forest Centre said it was aware of the suspect case of Alabama Rot and that it is working with the veterinary practice to determine the cause of death.

A spokesman said: “We have been in touch with Lingfield Lodge vets about the potential cause of Alabama Rot and have asked to be updated when they receives the results of the post-mortem.

“In the meantime, please be vigilant if you walk your dogs in the forest.”

Alabama Rot, a rare but deadly disease, causes sore skin, including ulcers, and within days, leads to kidney failure.

The flesh-eating condition, scientifically known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy (CRGV), can affect any age or breed of dog.

It was first detected in the UK in 2012.

There were 47 confirmed cases in 2020, 19 cases in 2019 and 18 in 2019.

The first sign of the disease is often a sore on the skin.

This is usually found under a dog’s elbow or knee. The skin can become red and the sore makes it look like an open ulcer.

Other symptoms can include fatigue, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite and drooling.

After a few days, the dog will start showing signs of kidney failure.

According to Vets4Pets, which is tracking the spread of the disease, only around 30 per cent of dogs survive once diagnosed with the condition.

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