'My dog started limping - she died from a fatal disease three weeks later'

A heartbroken owner faced a tragedy when his cherished dog started limping and sadly passed away just a few weeks later due to the uncommon illness known as Alabama rot. Shaun Reynolds, 29, recalls that veterinarians first suspected his four-year-old whippet, Willow, had either a fracture or an infection in her foot back in February last year.

However, she soon developed a sore that grew twice its size within an hour. Shaun brought Willow back to the vet, where she received additional medication, but her health continued to decline. A blood test later indicated that her kidneys were beginning to fail, prompting a referral to a specialist in Alabama rot.

Shaun, a PR manager from Lambourn, Berkshire, shared that Willow spent another two weeks in intensive care before he faced the heartbreaking choice to "let her go" on March 5, 2024. Now, he is working to raise awareness about Alabama rot and has initiated a fundraiser to support a related charity.

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This disease, which has only a 10% survival rate, was first identified in the UK in 2012. Since then, there have been only 330 confirmed cases.

Shaun said: "One minute, Willow was fit, happy, and healthy. The next, she was gone. I actually raised Alabama rot on the first visit to the vet. They didn't rule it out, but the chances are like one in multi-millions. It's so rare.

"They gave her medication and we went home, but I took her back when she developed the sore. She was given more meds again, but over the next few days, she started acting lethargic and being sick. A blood test then showed her kidneys were starting to fail, and I was told I either had to put her down now, or take her to Anderson Moores - an Alabama rot specialist."

Willow was in the Intensive Care Unit at Anderson Moores for two weeks, receiving care from some of the top veterinarians in the country, yet her health kept getting worse. Shaun learned that there was only one treatment option remaining, but it carried significant risks, and there was no assurance of a good quality of life afterwards.

"I was allowed in to see her to make the decision, and I knew immediately I couldn't put her through it," Shaun said. "I've been around dogs my whole life. My grandad worked with dogs, and my dad worked with dogs. But when I saw Willow, I'd never seen a dog so ill. I would have chucked everything I could at keeping her alive, but I had to let her go."

Since Willow's death, Shaun has turned his efforts to raising money for Alabama Rot Research. He hopes to help find a cure for the rare disease so that no other owner has to endure what he did. He has set up a GoFundMe and is also hosting a fundraiser at Lambourn Sports Club on September 14.

The event will see the football field turned into a whippet race track in honour of Willow, a champion racer. Shaun said: "I just thought I'm in a position where I could do something. I could use Willow's story to raise awareness of Alabama rot - and raise funds for Alabama Rot Research.

"I hosted an event at Lambourn Sports Club when I first lost Willow, and lots of people showed up - so I'm holding another one in September. There will be games, music, an auction, food, drinks, and whippet racing, as Willow used to race.

"She was incredible. She won all the time. And then she'd come back to my car and we'd sit and eat a bag of Quavers. Shaun said that in her four short years, Willow had an impact on him that will "last a lifetime. She was very loyal, very loving, and very determined.

"She loved her walks. She loved racing. And we had a lot of fun on sunny days when we'd drive to the beach together. Even though she only lived for four years, she was very loved during that time. I try to take comfort in knowing I gave her a great life while I could."

Shaun was aware of Alabama rot and knew to take precautions, such as washing down paws after a muddy walk. However, plenty of dog owners have never heard of the disease, and so he has encouraged people to read up on it.

According to the RSPCA, symptoms include skin sores, visible swelling, and red patches not caused by a known injury. These typically appear below the knee or elbow and occasionally on the face, at the bottom of the chest, or abdomen.

Owners should also look out for a change in appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. The disease's cause is unknown, but researchers believe it could be caused by a bacteria or toxin and be linked to walking in wet or muddy conditions. Owners are therefore advised to wash off all mud following a walk.

To donate to Shaun's GoFundMe, visit this page. To buy tickets for Shaun's fundraising event, 'A Celebration of Willow', visit this page.