Frequently Asked Questions

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Last update: 08.29.2017


Clay carries the genetic disease Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC). What is EIC? What are the chances that my puppy will be affected in the future by EIC?

Because we are responsible breeders, there is zero chance that your puppy will be affected by EIC. There is, however, a 50% chance that your puppy carries EIC. The only reason you should be concerned that your puppy carries EIC is if you intend to breed* them in the future. (All of our puppies are sold strictly as pets unless breeding rights are negotiated and agreed upon under separate contract.) 

There is a HUGE difference between the words 'affected' and 'carries'. The following information has been copied from Paw Print Genetics website, as well as a link directly to the page this information was copied.... This should help clarify what EIC is, how it is inherited, etc:

Common Symptoms

  • Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder affecting several breeds of dog. EIC presents as exercise intolerance in apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs are usually diagnosed before two years of age and appear normal during low to moderately strenuous activity. However, shortly after 5-20 minutes of strenuous exercise affected dogs will begin to walk with a wobbly, uncoordinated gait that often only affects the hind limbs. Dogs remain mentally alert and are not in pain during episodes of EIC. In some circumstances, the symptoms of EIC can progress to full body weakness with low muscle tone (flaccid paralysis), confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures and very rarely, death. The episodes typically last 5-10 minutes and most dogs will completely recover within 15-30 minutes.

Testing Tips

  • Genetic testing of the DNM1 gene will reliably determine whether a dog is a genetic Carrier of exercise-induced collapse. Exercise-induced collapse is inherited in an Autosomal Recessive manner in dogs meaning that they must receive two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease. In general, carrier dogs do not have features of the disease but when bred with another carrier of the same Mutation, there is a risk of having affected pups. Each pup that is born to this pairing has a 25% chance of inheriting the disease and a 50% chance of inheriting one copy and being a carrier of the DNM1 gene mutation. Reliable genetic testing is important for determining breeding practices. Because this mutation shows Variable Expressivity, genetic testing should be performed before breeding. In order to eliminate this mutation from breeding lines and to avoid the potential of producing affected pups, breeding of known carriers to each other is not recommended. Dogs that are not carriers of the mutation have no increased risk of having affected pups.
  • References
    • Exercise induced collapse. [Internet]. 1 Dec 2013 update [cited 18 Dec 2013]. Available at http://www.vdl.umn.edu/prod/groups/cvm/@pub/@cvm/@vdl/documents/asset/cvm_asset_403528.pdf
    • Furrow E, Minor KM, Taylor SM, Mickelson JR, Patterson EE. Relationship between dynamin 1 mutation status and characteristics of recurrent episodes of exercise-induced collapse in Labrador Retrievers. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2013 Mar 15;242(6):786-91. [PubMed: 23445289]
    • 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 Aug; 189(2):214-9. [PubMed: 21782486]
    • Patterson EE, Minor KM, Tchernatynskaia AV, Taylor SM, Shelton GD, Ekenstedt KJ, Mickelson JR. A canine DNM1 mutation is highly associated with the syndrome of exercise-induced collapse. Nat Genet. 2008 Oct; 40(10):1235-9. [PubMed: 18806795]
    • Taylor SM, Shmon CL, Adams VJ, Mickelson JR, Patterson EN, Shelton GD. Evaluations of labrador retrievers with exercise-induced collapse, including response to a standardized strenuous exercise protocol. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2009 Jan-Feb; 45(1):3-13. [PubMed: 19122058]
    • 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. 2008 Nov-Dec; 44(6):295-301. [PubMed: 18981194]

EXTERNAL LINK TO PAW PRINT GENETICS re: EIC