Disease overview

Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes exercise intolerance. EIC results from a mutation in a gene that causes dysfunction in dynamin, which is necessary for signal transmissions to muscles.

Gene name

DNM1

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

Clinical signs develop in young dogs before the age of three and include muscle weakness, which can lead to collapse. An affected dog may appear confused after an episode, but typically recovers and returns to normal after a period of time. However, severe episodes have led to death in some dogs.

How is it diagnosed

A veterinarian will conduct a thorough exam, including a review of health history and any clinical signs. A muscle biopsy may help with a definitive diagnosis. Genetic testing is necessary to determine if there is an underlying genetic cause, which can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Breeds at higher risk

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Citations

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. doi: 10.1038/ng.224. Epub 2008 Sep 21. PMID: 18806795.

Norton EM, Minor KM, Taylor SM, McCue ME, Mickelson JR. Heritability and Genomic Architecture of Episodic Exercise-Induced Collapse in Border Collies. Genes (Basel). 2021 Nov 29;12(12):1927. doi: 10.3390/genes12121927. PMID: 34946876; PMCID: PMC8701027.

Taylor S, Shmon C, Su L, Epp T, Minor K, Mickelson J, Patterson E, Shelton GD. Evaluation of Dogs with Border Collie Collapse, Including Response to Two Standardized Strenuous Exercise Protocols. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2016 Sep-Oct;52(5):281-90. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6361. Epub 2016 Aug 3. PMID: 27487345.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.