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Episodic falling is a neurological condition, induced by exercise,
excitement or frustration, in which muscle tone increases. This
means the dog is unable to relax its muscles, becomes rigid and
falls over. Affected dogs usually start to demonstrate clinical
signs before one year of age, with most cases having their first
episode aged four to seven months.
Early in 2011 Geneticists at the Animal Health Trust identified a
recessive mutation associated with Episodic Falling. Episodic
Falling syndrome is often difficult to diagnose as the syndrome can
show similarities to other neurological conditions, such as
epilepsy. A DNA
test has been developed which will provide a useful diagnostic tool
to the veterinary profession and dog breeders. The test will be
available from 18th April 2011.
Breeders using the test will be sent results identifying their dog
as belonging to one of three categories:
CLEAR:
these dogs have two normal copies of
DNA. Clear dogs will not develop EF as a
result of the identified mutation. We cannot exclude the
possibility that some dogs may show some clinical signs similar
to those of EF but due to a different genetic or clinical
cause.
CARRIER:
these dogs have one copy of the mutation and one normal copy of
DNA. These dogs will not develop EF themselves
but they will pass the mutation on to approximately 50% of their
offspring. We cannot exclude the possibility that some dogs may
show some clinical signs similar to those of EF but due to a
different genetic or clinical cause.
AFFECTED:
these dogs have two copies of the EF associated mutation and are
likely to present clinical signs of EF during their lifetime,
with an age of onset of around 4-7 months. EF is a highly
variable condition. Our research indicates that some dogs with
the EF associated mutation will not show clinical signs of EF.
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