A cocker spaniel on a walk with its owner (Image: Alenda Paulus/Getty Images)

Dog owners are being urged to remain vigilant for various warning signs of a rare but fatal disease that kills approximately 90% of affected pets. Dr Scott Miller, the resident veterinarian on ITV's This Morning , issued his warning following a gradual increase in cases across the UK since the condition first emerged here in 2012.

Speaking to hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, the vet revealed this week: "It's scary for me, not only as a vet, because we can't explain what causes it, but also as an owner of a cocker spaniel, and they are one of the breeds that are most affected by it.

"So, Alabama rot, otherwise known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy. It leads to small lesions initially that

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