A GALASHIELS dog owner is calling on Borders pet owners to enjoy a game of fetch in memory of her four-legged friend.

Lynsay Laird, who lost her retriever Georgie last year, has put a memory box containing tennis balls at the start of their favourite walk for others to enjoy.

The bucket of balls has a photograph of 13-month-old Georgie taped to it along with the message: "Please take a ball and enjoy a game with your dog in memory of my beautiful Baby G who loved this walk."

Lynsay said, "I got the idea for the box after seeing it on Facebook. I had a lot of balls left because Georgie loved them and my other dog doesn't so I put them in the box at the Gattonside end of chain bridge.

"Since then someone has attached it to the gate and people have been borrowing the balls and putting them back and even adding new ones.

"I just want the box to remind owners to enjoy every moment with their dog."

Georgie passed away in May last year after contracting Alabama rot, also known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV).

Only appearing to affect dogs, the disease damages the lining of blood vessels in the skin and kidney, resulting in ulceration of the skin and kidney damage.

The condition can affect any breed or age of dog and a proportion can go on to develop severe, acute kidney failure, which is often fatal.

Lynsay and her dogs Georgie and Taffy used to walk along the river most days and it was after one of these walks that she noticed Georgie had lesions on her legs.

"It was after a walk in Gattonside one Saturday that I saw that she had sores on her legs so I took her to the vet on Monday and she was given some cream.

"But she went downhill fast and by Wednesday her poo was black, which I later learnt was a sign that her kidneys were failing.

"I took her to the vets again where she was given a cone to stop her licking the sores but by Friday the vets suspected it was Alabama rot and put her on a drip and kept her in overnight hoping that she would improve.

"But on Saturday we were told that her kidneys had stopped working and she wasn't going to get better.

"I took Taffy with me to spend some time with her and then she got put to sleep."

Alabama rot was first recorded in the UK in 2012 and the number of cases has risen each year. Georgie's was the first confirmed case in the Borders.

Lynsay said: "The only way that you can be sure it is Alabama rot is to have a post mortem so Georgie was then taken to the Dick Vet in Edinburgh where it was confirmed that she had had Alabama rot. My other dog was tested for it but thankfully the results were clear."

The Kennel Club is warning dog owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year as the peak season for the disease is between November and May.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “Although the disease is very rare, affecting an extremely low percentage of dogs in the UK, the condition is very serious and potentially life-threatening. It is therefore vital that owners understand and recognise the warning signs, especially as time plays a significant part in successfully treating the disease.

“We are asking owners to look out for any signs of Alabama rot during the winter months and to remember to take action right away. Any dogs with unexplained or concerning skin lesions which typically look like sores, ulcers, or red, swollen, bruised areas, commonly with an infected appearance should be taken to their vet as soon as possible. These skin changes are usually found on their paws or lower legs, but may also appear on their head, face or lower body. Dogs who have contracted the disease may also become tired, disinterested in food, or present other signs of illness like vomiting or diarrhoea.

“Although these signs may not necessarily mean your dog has Alabama rot, acting quickly and speaking to a vet to determine what is wrong is the best course of action to protect your pet’s health.”

While large amounts of research have been carried out over the last six years, the cause of the disease remains unknown. As yet, no evidence has been found to suggest that CRGV is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins, or radiation. There is speculation that it is related to mud or water, due to the higher prevalence in winter and spring, and relatively low case numbers seen in the summer.

Caroline continued: “To lower any risk of your dog contracting Alabama rot, it’s also advisable to keep your dog away from very muddy areas, wash wet or muddy dogs straight after a walk and regularly check your dog’s body for anything that’s different.

“While a distinct seasonal pattern is suggested, we must continue to research this deadly disease and ensure all dog owners are aware of the signs and symptoms so they are able to seek veterinary advice immediately.”

Despite what happened, Lynsay still returns to walk Taffy along the river in Gattonside. She said: "There is so much fear about Alabama rot because not much is known about it. It's impossible to say where Georgie got it, she could have picked it up anywhere.

"We still walk by the river most days, we aren't scared to walk there but I do make sure I get the mud off after."

"My advice to other dog owners is to be aware and on the lookout for sores on your dog."