New Forest Dog On The Forest Off The Lead

NFDOG Research Fund

To facilitate investigations into 'Alabama rot'

The New Forest Dog Owners Group which was worried about the mystery dog deaths from kidney failure in around 2011 set up a fund to collect donations to help facilitate research into this disease. The fund was opened in March 2014 with a donation of £2,000 from NFDOG. The research is ongoing, as is fundraising. 

Research initially led to the identification of CRGV, also known as 'Alabama Rot', which has now been a concern to dog owners for some years. CRGV (Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy) is a serious disease, often fatal, which affects the internal organs of the dog. It is caused by bacteria which is found in some wet and muddy ground.

Research has been ongoing and this is the latest situation from Dr Fiona Macdonald BVMS MRCVS (July 2022): 

  • The bacterium causing CRGV (Alabama Rot) has now been isolated by Bristol University Vets School
  • It is currently undergoing identification at DNA level
  • Veterinary researchers are now investigating: 
  • potential treatments
  • rapid diagnostic kits 
  • origin of the infection and
  • whether the organism is still around in the environment

NFDOG have been supporting this research by collecting donations through a separate Research Fund

Anderson Moores Veterinary specialists led the initial investigations into the cause of CRGV (cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy), and subsequently a large amount of work has also been done at the Bristol University Vets School. A large amount of work is also being performed on a goodwill basis by veterinary surgeons at Anderson Moores, Fiona Macdonald (www.fish-treatment.co.uk) and other interested scientists.

This fund is controlled by NFDOG.  

Heather Gould (Chairman of NFDOG) said “Since the fund opened we have collected and allocated significant funds to help this research.  Projects have covered histology, microbiology toxicology, ricin intoxication and genetic faecal testing as well as a project looking at Aeromonas Hydrophila as being the trigger”.

Objects:
The fund was set up to further research into the unexplained dog deaths following symptoms of skin lesions and kidney failure, identified as CRGV.

Process:
The monies will be collected through various means into a bank account held solely for the fund.  Although there was significant initial injection of funding, contributions are still taken to support this work. 

The fund is open to applications from any veterinary practice, university or individual practitioner who wishes to expand knowledge of the illness.

The NFDOG committee decides how the fund shall be allocated.  The committee does not receive any payment, therefore costs of the fund will be kept to a minimum.

NFDOG will:

  • Present accounts showing income and expenditure at each AGM
  • Periodically give updates on the progress of projects sponsored, through the AGM, newsletter or other internal media.

When the fund is wound up any remaining cash will be offered in the first instance to the University of Bristol Veterinary School to support pre-specified research into canine health and/or welfare.

To donate, please click the donate button at the top of the page. If you cannot donate on line please send a cheque, made payable to NFDOG Research fund, to Hon. Treasurer, Island View, 9b Hurst Road, Milford on Sea, SO41 0PY.