EIC and CNM

EIC stands for Exercise Induced Collapse. It is an recessive inherited condition like prcd-PRA (so the same possible outcomes of affected/carriers and clears exists as mentioned in my earlier post). Affected dogs can endure mild to moderate exercise but after 5 to 20 minutes of heavy exercise with extreme excitement, the dog shows weakness and then collapse. Severely affected dogs may collapse whenever they are exercised to this extend – other dogs only exhibit collapse episodes sporadically.

Signs of EIC are not typically seen until the dog begin intense training. First symptoms are usually noted between 5 months and 3 years of age. However, it is confirmed that some affected dogs did not have collapse episodes until as late as age 10.

You may think that having a dog collapse is not that bad, certainly not as bad as going blind, but a youtube video showing a dog having an EIC episode was so bad that I could not watch more than the first minute - I would not wish that on any dog.  And, it is possible that an EIC collapse can lead to the death of the dog.

CNM stands for Centronuclear Myopathy. It also is a recessive inherited condition. Affected dogs show symptoms including hypotonia, generalized muscle weakness, abnormal postures, stiff hopping gait, exercise intolerance and increased collapse when exposed to cold.

So, because I believe its the most responsible thing to do, especially with Reed as a known carrier of EIC, I felt I had to test for both diseases. If Jess comes back clear for EIC then the pups will be 50% clear, 50% carriers (but none of them will ever suffer from this disease). If Jess comes back clear for CNM then the pups will all be 100% clear (as Reed is clear).  This, combined with the prcd-PRA test will mean (assuming jess is clear for both of these - or even if she is a carrier of CNM) that all of the pups will never suffer from prcd, EIC or CNM - certainly I think that is a good thing :)  And very comforting for the new puppy owners.

I used Laboklin for both of these tests

http://www.laboklin.co.uk

Cost : Blood sample at vet £20, Postage £7, EIC test £67, CNM test £50 - total £144