Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Labrador retrievers collapsing after exercise and what tests show
By Taylor, Susan M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·2009·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluations of labrador retrievers with exercise-induced collapse, including response to a standardized strenuous exercise protocol.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 Labrador retrievers was studied for exercise-induced collapse (EIC), a condition where dogs become weak and unsteady after intense activity. During a strenuous exercise test, 10 of the dogs showed an abnormal gait and had faster heart rates and breathing issues compared to healthy dogs. Despite normal muscle biopsies and other tests, the exact cause of their collapse remains unknown. Unfortunately, no specific treatment was identified to prevent EIC, so affected dogs may need to avoid strenuous exercise to manage their symptoms.
People also search for: Labrador retriever exercise-induced collapse · dog abnormal gait after exercise · EIC in dogs symptoms and treatment
Abstract
Clinical and metabolic variables were evaluated in 14 Labrador retrievers with exercise-induced collapse (EIC) before, during, and following completion of a standardized strenuous exercise protocol. Findings were compared with previously reported variables from 14 normal Labrador retrievers that participated in the same protocol. Ten of 14 dogs with EIC developed an abnormal gait during evaluation, and these dogs were significantly more tachycardic and had a more severe respiratory alkalosis after exercise compared to the normal dogs. Muscle biopsy characteristics and sequential lactate and pyruvate concentrations were normal. Genetic testing and linkage analysis excluded malignant hyperthermia as the cause of EIC. Common causes of exercise intolerance were eliminated, but the cause of collapse in EIC was not determined.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19122058/