Details about the disease
This condition leads to a defect in nerve communication during intense exercise. In affected dogs, certain factors can trigger the collapse including type of exercise, temperature and excitement.
Clinical signs
Dogs clinically affected by EIC will show signs of leg weakness followed by complete collapse after 5 to 20 minutes of strenuous activity. The severity can vary. Severely affected dogs may collapse with mild exercise - other dogs only exhibit collapse episodes sporadically (occurring at irregular intervals). First clinical signs are usually noticed between 5 months and 3 years of age, but can appear later in life.
How is it inherited?
This disease is described as an autosomal-recessive condition. For most breeds, this means that a dog must inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father) before its health is affected. A dog that inherits only one copy of the abnormal gene (from either their mother or their father) will have no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring.
For Curly Coated Retrievers, this disease is more complex and researchers believe that environmental factors or other genetic influences can also contribute to whether a dog's health is affected. Having other factors that influence whether or not a dog develops this condition means that their results are not as definitive as other tests, but are instead a measure of risk. For example, having two copies of the abnormal gene may increase a dog’s risk but it doesn’t necessarily always result in clinical disease.
Which laboratories we record and publish the results from?
To find out which laboratories The Kennel Club is able to record results from, and which laboratories will send results directly to The Kennel Club, please refer to our website.
Please be aware, The Kennel Club has a set of criteria that we request DNA testing laboratories to meet to enable us to record their results, helping to maintain and protect the integrity of results that appear on a dog’s record. We strongly advise that customers ensure their chosen laboratory is included on our list if they wish The Kennel Club to record and publish the results. Results from laboratories not included on this list will not be recorded.
Breeding advice and what your dog's results mean
If, once your dog is DNA tested, you would like to find out what their DNA test results mean, or how to select the right mate to avoid producing affected puppies, then please read our breeding advice and DNA testing information.
How to find out if a potential mate has been DNA tested
The Kennel Club’s Health Test Results Finder allows you to find the results of DNA tests carried out as part of The Kennel Club's official DNA testing schemes for any dog on The Kennel Club’s Breed Register.