Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an autosomal-recessive genetic disease charactersed by recurrent infections of the respiratory tract as well as reduced male fertility.

 

Around 50% of the affected dogs develop situs inversus (Kartagener syndrome). The underlying cause is a motility defect in the respiratory cilia responsible for airway clearance and in the flagella responsible for propelling sperm cells.

​

Symptoms include chronic inflammation of upper and lower airways, coughing, nasal discharge, wheezing, bronchopneumonia and inflammation of the ear.