A MAN whose dog has survived a brush with a deadly flesh-eating disease has spoken of his relief after the ordeal.

Jonathon Lamb’s dog Bracken’s life was left hanging in the balance after contracting the illness.

Only hours after a walk through Low Burnhall Woods, Croxdale, County Durham, grazes appeared on the 18-month-old lurcher’s front legs and only days later he was in an emergency veterinary unit.

Mr Lamb, 25, was left fearing the worst as Bracken spent about seven days receiving round-the-clock care, but after battling against the odds, Bracken has pulled through and has returned home to Spennymoor.

Jonathon, a support worker for young people, said: “We are delighted Bracken has recovered. It was heart-breaking when the vet told me to rush him straight in as a specialist had looked at some pictures of Bracken’s grazes and confirmed from those that they believed Bracken had contracted Alabama Rot.

"I rushed him back and he continued to deteriorate and was so ill. I was trying not to think of the worst. He still has to have more blood tests to see what his kidney function is, but we are remaining positive and, so far, there have been no issues or concerns. He is getting back to his usual self.”

Alabama Rot first appeared in the UK six years ago and the flesh-eating disease has a high death rate.

The illness causes lesions on the skin and occasionally in the mouth, which can look like bites, sores, wounds or stings, and some dogs go on to develop life-threatening kidney failure.

Jonathon has continued his own investigations into the illness. He said: “It is more common for dogs to contract the illness in the winter, it’s about 70 per cent, and I have been reading about the possibility of it being caused by salt poisoning – the rock salt that is used to grit the roads gets into the water course and on the pavements and affects dogs. The grazes look like chemical burns.

“There is a lot of work going on to find out what causes it, but dog owners need to just keep an eye on their dogs and wash them off after muddy and wet walks. Be aware of the symptoms.”

Experts from the leading group in the field, Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists, said 2017 was the worst year for Alabama Rot in the UK, but that may only be because the disease was less well known previously.

David Walker, considered the leading figure on the disease, said recently: “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 coming months, as we are now in the peak season for cases.”

He said the first sign is usually a skin sore which can’t be explained by a known injury. “Most commonly, sores are found on the lower leg and appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin, or are open and ulcer-like.

“Concerned dog owners should visit www.vets4pets.com/stop-alabama-rot.”

Following the first Alabama Rot conference in May 2017 the first stage of research was planned, with findings expected to be published next month.