Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC Dog)
E xercise-i nduced 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.
Genetic Test: The test is patented and is currently not offered by Generatio.
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.
The test is patented and is currently not offered by Generatio.
The Labrador Retriever A package (DRC P1) is also currently not offered by Generatio.
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.