Episodic Falling (EF) is a neurological disorder that affects the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed. Typically, symptoms are observed starting at approximately 14 weeks to 4 years of age but have been observed in younger and older dogs. Symptoms can range from occasional falling to freezing or seizure-like episodes that can last from minutes to hours. The episode severity can vary as the dog ages and the attacks appear to have no standard pattern. Symptoms are typically triggered by excitement, exercise or stress and are observed as an increase in muscle tone or stiffness in the dog’s limbs which can cause the dog to collapse during an episode. The disease can also be referred to as Exercise-Induced Paroxysmal Hypertonicity, Falling Cavaliers and Collapsing Cavalier Syndrome.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A (CLEAR/NORMAL): These dogs have two copies of the normal gene and will neither develop EF nor pass this mutation to their offspring.

B (CARRIER/NOT AFFECTED): These dogs have one copy of the normal gene and one copy of the mutation associated with this disease. They will not develop EF but will, if bred, pass the mutation to 50% of its offspring, on average.

C (AT RISK/AFFECTED): These dogs have two copies of the mutation associated with this disease which results in episodic falling syndrome with seizure-like episodes.