Episodic Falling in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Episodic Falling
Organ System: Nervous/sensory

Episodic falling is a rare autosomal-recessive genetic disease reported in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed in which the affected limb and trunk muscles become rigid and the dog falls over. Usually seen from a young age of 3-7 months, the disease is triggered by exercise, excitement or frustration. Clinical signs vary in severity ranging from mild, occasional falling to freezing or seizure-like episodes lasting for few seconds to several minutes. Affected dogs exhibit bunny-hopping movements and/or “deer stalker” gait and may collapse without losing consciousness. There is no known treatment; anticonvulsant medications can be used but they are of limited benefit.

Breeds exposed to Episodic Falling – Research Reference
Miniature Poodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labradoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Maltese Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pomeranian Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Standard Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Toy Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Schnoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Cavoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Golden Doodle (Groodle) – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Labradoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Maltese – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Miniature Poodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Pomeranian – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Standard – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Poodle – Toy – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Schnoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Spoodle – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)
Spoodle Cross – University of Sydney (LIDA Dog Disease Database)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Episodic Falling or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.