Exercise Induced Collapse DNA test at Canine Genetic Testing

Exercise Induced Collapse (Retriever Type)

£66.00 Incl. VAT

Find out if your dog could develop Exercise Induced Collapse at CAGT.

CAGT have partnered with Laboklin to provide this test.

CODE EIC-DNM1
Categories ,
Turnaround 1-4 weeks
Breed(s) , , , , , , , ,
OMIA OMIA:001466-9615
Aliases

Results from this test will be reported as detailed in the Registry Reporting list.

Overview

Part of the official UK Kennel Club testing scheme in Collie (Smooth), Retriever (Labrador), Retriever (Chesapeake Bay), Retriever (Curly Coated) and Spaniel (Clumber)

Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) is an inherited condition that primarily affects Labrador Retrievers and their related breeds – mainly Labrador crosses. The variant responsible has also been found in other breeds, including Curly-coated Retrievers, Boykin spaniels and Pembroke Welsh Corgis. The signs of EIC typically become noticeable when dogs undergo rigorous training. The initial symptoms usually manifest between the ages of 5 months and 3 years, although there have been cases where affected dogs didn’t experience collapse episodes until as late as age 10. Dogs with this condition can tolerate mild to moderate exercise, but after engaging in heavy exercise for a duration of 5 to 20 minutes, they experience weakness and collapse. While some dogs may only exhibit collapse episodes sporadically, severely affected dogs can collapse whenever they are exercised to this extent. The condition can be exacerbated by excitement and high temperatures.

During an episode, the first symptom observed is often an abnormal gait characterized by rocking or forced movements. The hind limbs then weaken, making it difficult for the dog to support its weight. Many affected dogs continue to run but drag their back legs. Some dogs display a lack of coordination, particularly in the hind limbs, with a wide-based, long, and loose stride instead of the typical stiff strides associated with muscle weakness. In certain cases, the collapse progresses to weakness in the front limbs and occasionally leads to complete immobility. Some dogs also exhibit a loss of balance and may fall over, especially during the recovery phase. Although most collapsed dogs remain conscious and alert, actively attempting to run and retrieve, around 25% of affected dogs may appear stunned or disoriented during the episode. All affected animals should be withdrawn from work and should avoid situations involving excitement and/or stress.

Autosomal Recessive

The G767T substitution in the gene called DNM1 that causes Exercise Induced Collapse in Labrador Retriever and other breeds is autosomal recessive. This means that dogs that carry two copies of the mutation (homozygotes) will almost certainly have Exercise Induced Collapse episodes, brought on by strenuous exercise, during their lives. Dogs that carry a single copy of the mutation (also known as carriers or heterozygotes) will not develop Exercise Induced Collapse as a result of the DNM1 mutation, but they will pass the mutation onto about half of any offspring they have. Breeding dogs that will not develop Exercise Induced Collapse should be the breeder’s priority, with a reduction in mutation frequency within the whole breed being the secondary, longer-term target.

Carriers can be bred from safely, provided they are mated to a dog that has also been tested and is clear of the DNM1 mutation (i.e. carry no copies of the mutation). If a carrier is mated to a clear dog approximately half of the resulting puppies will also be carriers, so should be tested themselves prior to breeding. Breeding carriers to tested, clear dogs is safe, in terms of avoiding dogs affected with Exercise Induced Collapse, and will help to maintain the genetic diversity of a breed. It is therefore encouraged, particularly in the first few generations following the availability of a new genetic test, so that other desirable characteristics and traits can be preserved before the frequency of the disease mutation within the breed is gradually reduced.

Gene DNM1
Variant G767T
Assay Type Variant Specific
Inheritance Autosomal Recessive
Severity Low-Moderate: Affected animals experience discomfort or dysfunction of some kind, but life expectancy is not affected.
Publication

Patterson EE, KM Minor, AV Tchernatynskaia et al. (2008) A canine DNM1 mutation is highly associated with the syndrome of exercise-induced collapse. Nat Genet. 40(10): 1235-1239 . DOI: 10.1038/ng.224.

Taylor SM, CL Shmon, GD Shelton et al. (2008) Exercise-induced collapse of Labrador retrievers: survey results and preliminary investigation of heritability. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 44(6): 295-301 . DOI: 10.5326/0440295.

Taylor SM, CL Shmon, VJ Adams et al. (2009) Evaluations of labrador retrievers with exercise-induced collapse, including response to a standardized strenuous exercise protocol. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 45(1): 3-13 . DOI: 10.5326/0450003.

Minor KM, EE Patterson, MK Keating et al. (2011) Presence and impact of the exercise-induced collapse associated DNM1 mutation in Labrador retrievers and other breeds. Vet J. 189(2): 214-219 . DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.06.022.

Furrow E, KM Minor, SM Taylor et al. (2013) Relationship between dynamin 1 mutation status and characteristics of recurrent episodes of exercise-induced collapse in Labrador Retrievers. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 242(6): 786-791 . DOI: 10.2460/javma.242.6.786.

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