A heartbroken dog owner has backed a new campaign to raise awareness of a 'mysterious and deadly' disease affecting canines across the country.

Jon Beal's beloved rescue spaniel Bruno contracted Alabama rot, known as CRGV, and died about a week later after being taken for a walk in the New Forest.

'When he became ill, it was both shocking and painful to see him reduced to such a weak animal,' he told MailOnline. 'In losing Bruno we lost our best friend, and Monty, our other spaniel, grows old without his brother.'

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Tragic: Rescue dog Bruno died from Alabama rot shortly after being taken for a walk in the New Forest

Heartbroken: Jon Beal pictured here with his beloved rescue spaniel Bruno, who contracted Alabama rot

Bruno had a lesion on his paw before developing renal failure and dying a week later from the disease

The disease first appeared in the US in the late 1980s affecting greyhounds, and causes ulcer-like skin sores and/or sudden kidney failure.

Vets4Pets, based in Oxford, is urging pet owners to take extra precautions when out walking their dogs this spring and summer to help prevent the spread of Alabama rot.

Mr Beal, from Bournemouth, said: 'It began with a lesion to his paw, which he was seen for and blood works taken for more information.

'In three days his condition worsened terribly at which point he was rushed into a specialist medical centre, Anderson Moores, and found to have developed renal failure.

'This began on a Monday, and he'd died by Saturday.'

Bruno's death in February 2013 led to warning notices being put up in the New Forest.

According for Vets4Pets, Alabama rot has spread to 16 counties in the UK and there have been around 50 confirmed cases since December 2013

Alabama rot, described as a 'mysterious and deadly' disease, causes ulcer-like skin sores and/or sudden kidney failure

'We would take him for walks daily, often through woods, across beaches and through dunes,' Mr Beal added. He was such an active dog.

'When we went to see him at Anderson Moores (Veterinary Specialists), there was a chance he could make it, which I clung to.

'Seeing him scant, weak and drugged, we honestly thought that a younger, more active dog could fight harder for longer.

'However, the unknown illness had really attacked his system, and there was no more time to be bought.

'Even lacking awareness and being quite vacant, he was still our Bruno, and that's why we couldn't watch him suffer and had to make the right decision.'

New Forest: The disease has spread to 16 counties in the UK but there has been several cases in the New Forest

WHAT IS ALABAMA ROT (CRGV)? Alabama rot, also known as CRGV, is a disease which affects all breeds of dogs. The cause is unknown and if it is not spotted early, it can lead to sudden kidney failure. The disease first appeared in the US in the late 1980s affecting greyhounds, and causes ulcer-like skin sores and/or sudden kidney failure. According to Pets4Vets, spotting the warning signs is key to survival. It is believed Alabama rot is picked up on the paws and legs on muddy walks, so it is advised to wash off woodland mud, check for signs of the disease and call a vet if in doubt. Source: Pets4Vets interactive guide Advertisement

Dr Huw Stacey, head of clinical services at Pets4Vets, said: 'The scary thing about this condition is we don't know what's causing it and why some dogs are being affected and some aren't.

'Mysterious and deadly would be the two words for it.'

Dr Stacey explained it is a seasonal condition which strikes in the spring and summer and new cases have been reported.

According for Vets4Pets, Alabama rot has spread to 16 counties in the UK and there have been around 50 confirmed cases since December 2013.

'This is a concern we have been trying to educate people about,' Dr Stacey added. 'Our goal is to raise awareness of it.

'There is a big focus in the New Forest. There is a smaller focus around Manchester.'

Although there have only been 50 confirmed cases, Dr Stacey said there are has been a greater number of suspected cases and that definitive diagnosis doesn't always get made.