Information > Exercise Induced Collapse

This condition leads to a defect in nerve communication during intense exercise. In affected dogs, certain factors that can trigger the collapse include: type of exercise, temperature and level of excitement.

Dogs clinically affected by EIC will show signs of leg weakness followed by complete collapse after 5-20 minutes of strenuous activity. The severity can vary. Severely affected dogs may collapse during 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 also appear later in life.

The disease is described as an autosomal recessive condition. 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 its mother or its father) will show no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring.

Soure: The Kennel Club

Further reading: VetMed