A VET has taken steps to reassure dog owners who are fearing their pets could catch a killer disease.

David Walker of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, has urged dog owners “not to panic” after a number of confirmed and suspected cases of Alabama Rot were reported over the weekend.

Nichola Barber, who lives in Marske, said she believed her family pet caught Alabama Rot, the flesh-eating disease, whilst walking in Errington Woods with her daughter.

The Labrador cross had got covered in mud playing in bushes around two weeks ago.

At the weekend, the three-year-old dog had to be put to sleep by vets.

Ms Barber said: “To say we are devastated is an understatement.

“I want to make people aware of how she died as I don’t want other dogs to go through what she has the last few days.

“She had little raw sores on her legs and stopped eating, but she was throwing up loads.

“She was still drinking lots but her kidneys failed.

“I want to urge everyone to be careful if they are going to muddy fields as there are some other cases around this area that have happened.”

The case has not been confirmed as Alabama Rot, and Mr Walker said there is no evidence of the disease “spreading” to the North, but said cases had been identified across the UK.

“In some cases the symptoms will make it look as though it is Alabama Rot, but we have to look at the kidney and underneath the skin through a microscope before we can diagnose exactly what it is.”

Mr Walker said it is difficult to offer dog owners advice as the cause of the disease is not known, but he urged those with concerns to take their dog to the vets.

He said the first sign of its presence is usually seen as a skin sore which can’t be explained 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.

“It is understandably very worrying for dog owners, but we hope the increase in cases is partly due to a higher awareness and understanding of the disease.”

Earlier this week, Jessica Burnip urged other dog owners to regularly check their pets after he three-year-old whippet which she has had from being an eight-week-old puppy, was put to sleep, despite undergoing treatment several times

That was only a week after an unexplained red sore was spotted on his stomach a day after he was walked in woodland near the family home in Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street.

It has only been confirmed in the past few days that Boomer died from contracting Alabama Rot, for which there is no known cure.