More and more cases of Alabama Rot are being recorded across the country.

Last month, a case was recorded in Warwick, with pet owners urged to exercise caution in the face of the spreading disease.

Vets have warned the devastating condition called CRGV, but more commonly known as Alabama Rot, can lead to a dog's flesh rotting.

This results in kidney failure, loss of appetite, tiredness and vomiting, and without urgent treatment, dogs develop a raging fever and can eventually die.

The cause of the mysterious bug is not yet known, but it affects all breeds of dog and is understood to be more prevalent in wet weather conditions.

Vets have now called the first-ever Alabama Rot conference, taking place next Wednesday (May 10) in Reading, where experts will put their heads together as they desperately try to tackle the spread of the disease in Britain.

Vet David Walker, the UK’s lead investigator into the condition, said: “It’s a dreadful disease and is not specific to any particular age or breed.

“It’s often a disease that affects otherwise young dogs in the prime of their lives.

“We don’t want to create panic but we want to make people aware of this. “When we first recognised it at the back end of 2012 we thought it would be a few sporadic cases, but the disease is definitely persisting.

“The average time for dying, unfortunately, is just seven days. It can deteriorate very quickly.

“From the onset of kidney failure after three days - that’s just four days until they are likely to die.

“We’ve done a huge amount of research but still do not know what causes it.”

Now dog owners across the region are being urged to watch out for signs of the disease as early treatment can be the difference between life and death. Here's what you need to know.

How can I stop my dog getting Alabama Rot?

Avoid taking your dogs for walks in muddy wooded areas – especially if there's recently been heavy rainfall. If that's unavoidable, make sure you wash your dog's paws and legs thoroughly when you get back from the walk.

Where did Alabama Rot come from and what causes it?

The condition was first identified among greyhounds in the USA in the 1980s. It's believed to be caused by toxins produced by bacteria such as E.coli but there is no scientific evidence to back this up. Because the exact cause has not been found, developing a vaccine is tricky.

What are the symptoms of Alabama Rot?

Look out for skin lesions, ulcers, sores or bite marks. Your dog could also become lethargic, or suffer a loss of appetite, with a reluctance to eat.

Other signs include jaundice, such as a discoloration in your dog's eyes, gums or nostrils.

Vomiting or gagging have been observed in some cases at later stages of Alabama Rot. Kidney failure occurs in a minority of cases, however if it does occur, it usually proves fatal.

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Are there any early warning signs?

The first sign normally seen is a skin sore not caused by any known injury. These are most commonly found below the elbow or knee or on the belly or muzzle.

They appear as a distinct swelling, a patch of red skin, or an ulcer-like open wound. Within two to seven days affected dogs develop outward signs of kidney failure which can include vomiting, reduced hunger and an unusual tiredness and lack of energy.

How many cases have there been in the UK?

The first cases were identified in the UK in November 2012. A Hampshire veterinary practice reported in March 2015 that there had been 103 suspected cases in the UK, including 52 deaths confirmed by post-mortem examination.

Can Alabama Rot be treated?

While no vaccination has been found, some dogs can fight off the disease and live with minimal damage.

Sadly, dogs with the disease tend to eventually die because treatment is so limited, but some UK dogs with Alabama Rot have been successfully treated in the years since 2013.