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Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC Dog)

Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) is a neuromuscular disorder characterised by exercise intolerance in otherwise healthy dogs. The first signs begin within 2 minutes of strenuous exercise. Affected dogs then show a wobbly gait with weakness of the hind legs, coordination difficulties and general weakness. The cause is the malformation of dynamin 1 (DNM1), a neurotransmitter.

The hereditary disease occurs in the Labrador Retriever and other Retriever breeds. The inheritance is autosomal recessive.

 

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Symptoms

  • Wobbly gait with weakness of the hind legs
  • Coordination difficulties
  • Wide-legged standing
  • General weakness
  • Confusion
  • Loss of consciousness

General Information

  • Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) is a neuromuscular disorder characterised by exercise intolerance in otherwise healthy dogs.
  • The first signs begin within 2 minutes of strenuous exercise.
  • Episodes usually last 5-10 minutes, often with full recovery after 30 minutes.
  • The cause is a malformation of dynamin 1 (DNM1), a neurotransmitter between nerve cells (synapses).
  • As a result, DNM1 activity during strenuous exercise is insufficient to maintain synaptic transmission, leading to a reversible loss of motor function.

Breeds affected

Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Curly-coated Retriever

Test Information

This test detects a missense mutation (c.767G>T) of the DNM1 gene.

 

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Also in the Labrador Retriever A package (DRC P1)

 

The test is carried out in a partner laboratory.

Genotype and Lab Report

Inheritance: autosomal recessive

→ The disease only occurs when both alleles of the gene are affected by the mutation (eic/eic). Dogs that have only one allele with the causative mutation (N/eic) are clinically healthy carriers.


Genotypes:


N/N = genetically normal

The dog has no variants for EIC and thus cannot pass it on to offspring.


N/eic = a carrier

The dog is a clinically healthy carrier. The variation is passed on 50% to the offspring, which are also carriers.


eic/eic = affected

The variation will be passed on to 100% to the offspring. The offspring are carriers or affected.

Recommendations

  • Carrier animals can be bred to normal animals (N/eic x N/N). Before using the offspring in breeding, it should be tested whether they are normal or carriers.
  • Mating two carrier animals (N/eic x N/eic) should be avoided because there is a 25% chance that the offspring will be affected.
  • Affected animals (eic/eic) should be excluded from breeding.

Literature

Taylor, SM., Shmon, CL., Shelton, GD., Patterson, EN., Minor, K., Mickelson, JR.: Exercise-induced collapse of Labrador retrievers: survey results and preliminary investigation of heritability. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 44:295-301, 2008. Pubmed reference: 18981194.

 

Minor, KM., Patterson, EE., Keating, MK., Gross, SD., Ekenstedt, KJ., Taylor, SM., Mickelson, JR.: Presence and impact of the exercise-induced collapse associated DNM1 mutation in Labrador retrievers and other breeds. Vet J :, 2011. Pubmed reference: 21782486. DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.06.022.

 

Further information is available at: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals.

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