A DEVASTATED couple have issued a warning to dog owners after they lost their beloved pet to the rare disease, Alabama Rot.

Charlotte and John Fitzharris had to have their dog Mylo put down after it contracted the disease while out walking in Bolton.

Now the dog's blood has been sent off to researchers who hope to find what causes the fatal disease.

Mr and Mrs Fitzharris took the dog on one of its regular long walks on Saturday, February 10 around Leverhulme Park, Moses Gate, Milnthorpe Park and around Starmount and Blackshaw Brook in Bradley Fold.

The following day they noticed the Staffordshire Bull Terrier had a few cuts on its legs, as if it had been scratched by bushes.

When the cuts looked even worse the following day, Animal Trust vets in Lower Bridgeman Street, Bolton prescribed antibiotics and fur wash.

But two days later Mylo started being sick. The following day, last Thursday, vets found the nine-year-old had kidney failure, which is one of the symptoms of Alabama Rot.

The couple were asked to leave Mylo at the vet overnight for treatment but at 10pm received a phone call to say its condition had deteriorated and its kidneys had failed.

On Friday morning they returned to the vets and Mylo had to be put down.

Mrs Fitzharris wants to warn other people to look out for the signs of Alabama Rot.

She believes Mylo caught the disease playing in the mud and river at Starmount and Blackshaw Brook.

Mrs Fitzharris, aged 39, of Fairmont Avenue in Breightmet, said: "I'm devastated. Anyone who knows my husband and me know we are big dog lovers.

"That dog went everywhere with us. He had a very active life. We believe he got the disease because we let him run about, he was just a proper dog."

The cause of Alabama Rot is unknown but many cases in the UK include animals that have walked in muddy or woodland areas.

More cases are reported between November and May than between June and October.

People are urged to check a dog's body for lumps, bumps and lesions once a day, as if it is caught early it is not always fatal.

Treatment for the disease works in only around 20 per cent of cases.

Mylo's blood has been sent to vet, Fiona Macdonald, of New Forest Dog Owners Group, which is trying to find the cause of Alabama Rot.

Dr Macdonald, who develops professional medicines for fish, believes she had found a link between Alabama Rot and a bacteria found in fish.

Mrs Fitzharris said: "Mylo could raise awareness or you never know he could be the breakthrough. It has put me off getting another dog because this devastated us."

The disease is still extremely rare and since 2012, 132 dogs in the UK have died as a result of a confirmed case of Alabama Rot.

Twelve cases were confirmed in the UK last month, including one at a veterinary specialist referral centre in Westhoughton and another in Salford.

Vets4Pets tracks confirmed cases of Alabama Rot in the UK and said there have been several in the Bolton area in the past few months, including one in Westhoughton in December, 2017.

A case was recorded in Little Lever in November, 2017 as well as two cases in April, 2017 in Radcliffe.

The first case was recorded in Bolton in December, 2015 and another was made near Rivington in November, 2017.

David Walker, the UK’s leading expert on the condition, from Hampshire vets Anderson Moores, said: “Although the figures have almost doubled since 2016, it is important that dog owners remain calm, but vigilant for signs of the disease, particularly over the coming months, as we are now in the peak season for cases of the disease.

“The first sign of the disease that is normally seen is a skin sore that isn’t caused by a known injury. Most commonly these sores are found on the lower half of the leg and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin or are open and ulcer-like."

Dr Huw Stacey, vet and director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, has been supporting research on the condition for a number of years, and is advising dog owners to contact their vet if they have any concerns.

He said: “While it is understandable that dog owners will be worried by this increase in confirmed cases, Alabama Rot is still a very rare disease and we would encourage owners to continue exercising their pet.

“Unlike the Alabama Rot that affected greyhounds in America, the disease in the UK does not seem to target any specific breed, age, sex or weight of dog.

“Any dog owners who are worried that their pet might have Alabama Rot should contact their veterinary practice immediately.

“This will help build knowledge about the disease and also give a dog the best chance of survival."

People can donate to the fund by going to www.newforestdog.org.uk/nfdog-research-fund