POLICE Scotland Dogs has issued an alert on Twitter after a case of deadly Alabama Rot has been found.

The dog branch has tweeted with advice after a case of the illness was found in a dog in Cumbernauld.

Otherwise known as Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV), the disease affects dogs by causing damage to their skin and kidney's blood vessels.

The tweet says: "We have just learned of a case of #AlabamaRot in the Cumbernauld area.

"Please do not panic, here is a couple of tips to help keep your dogs safe.

"Contact your vet if you are worried about your furry friend."

The RSPCA says the cause of the disease is unknown and in the past few years only a tiny number of cases have been found in the UK.

The charity recommends washing all mud off your pet following a wet and muddy walk, especially through woodland.

But they also advise not to worry too much about Alabama Rot as the disease is so rare.

The advice adds: "The majority of visible skin lesions will not be caused by Alabama rot disease while most cases of kidney failure will be a result of another cause."