Home » Diseases » In dogs » Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, PCD (Uncoordinated Ciliary Function of the Respiratory Tract Mucosa)

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, PCD (Uncoordinated Ciliary Function of the Respiratory Tract Mucosa) in Dogs

Occurrence: very rare
Location of illness: Chest

Author: Dr. med. vet. Gisa Löwe | Last modified: 06.11.2025

PrimaryPrimary refers to the first or original cause of a disease or condition, as opposed to secondary causes or symptoms that develop from it. Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disorder in dogs characterized by impaired function of the ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. – tiny, hair-like structures on the cells of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.. This malfunction leads to inadequate cleaning of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. and can lead to recurrentRecurrent refers to a disease that repeatedly returns or worsens after a temporary remission or improvement. respiratoryRespiratory refers to breathing or the process of breathing. Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory tract and can impair the ability to breathe effectively. infections and other health problems.

The most important facts at a glance

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) in dogs is a genetic disorder that affects the motility of the ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself., small hair structures in the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.. These ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. are important for transporting mucus and particles out of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.. In dogs with PCD, the ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. are either uncoordinated or not motile at all, resulting in inadequate cleaning of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.. The disease is caused by genetic mutations and is inherited autosomal recessively, meaning that a dog must inherit the defective gene from both parents to be affected. PCD is more common in certain breeds such as the English Springer Spaniel and the Newfoundland, but can occur in any breed.

Common symptoms include Husten, nasalNasal refers to the nose and nasal cavities. In veterinary medicine, this can involve examinations, treatments, or diseases affecting the nose of dogs and cats. discharge, and Atembeschwerden. DiagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. is often challenging because the symptoms can also occur in other respiratoryRespiratory refers to breathing or the process of breathing. Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory tract and can impair the ability to breathe effectively. diseases. Special tests such as ciliary biopsies or nasalNasal refers to the nose and nasal cavities. In veterinary medicine, this can involve examinations, treatments, or diseases affecting the nose of dogs and cats. swabs are necessary to confirm the diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients.. There is no cure, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications. These include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugsAnti-inflammatory drugs are medications that reduce inflammation. They can be divided into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids and are used in dogs and cats to reduce Inflammatory conditions and Pain., and respiratoryRespiratory refers to breathing or the process of breathing. Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory tract and can impair the ability to breathe effectively. therapies. The prognosisThe prognosis is the prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease based on the general state of health, the nature of the disease, and the response to treatment. It can provide information on how a disease is expected to develop. varies, and lifelong treatment is often required. To prevent PCD, breeders should consider genetic testing to identify carriers of the defective gene and minimize the continuation of the disease.

Causes

The ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. are microscopic, motile hair structures that line the surface of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.. Their main task is to transport mucus and trapped particles out of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. to keep the lungs clean and free from infection. In dogs with PCD, however, these structures are either not motile or beat uncoordinated, resulting in inadequate cleaning of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs..

Genetic mutations are the main cause of PCD. These mutations affect proteins that are essential for the structure and function of the ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself.. The inheritance of PCD is mostly autosomal recessive, which means that a dog must inherit the defective gene from both parents to develop the disease.

Studies have shown that PCD is more common in certain dog breeds, suggesting genetic predispositions. Affected breeds include the English Springer Spaniel, Bobtail and Newfoundland, among others. However, the disease can occur in any dog, regardless of breed.

Symptoms

Very common symptoms:

Common symptoms:

The symptoms of PCD are often recognizable at a young age and mainly affect the respiratory system. The most common symptoms include Chronischer Husten, nasalNasal refers to the nose and nasal cavities. In veterinary medicine, this can involve examinations, treatments, or diseases affecting the nose of dogs and cats. discharge, and recurrent respiratoryRespiratory refers to breathing or the process of breathing. Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory tract and can impair the ability to breathe effectively. infections. These symptoms result from the inability of the ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. to transport mucus efficiently, leading to an accumulation of mucus and bacteriaBacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms that exist in almost every environment on Earth. Some types of bacteria are beneficial or even essential to life, while others can cause disease..

Dogs with PCD may also suffer from sinusitis and otitis media. In severe cases, the disease can lead to Pneumonia or bronchiectasis, a chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. dilationDilation refers to the widening or expansion of a hollow organ or vessel. It can be physiological (normal) or pathological (due to disease). of the bronchi due to repeated infections and Entzündungen.

Another common symptom in male dogs is Unfruchtbarkeit, as ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. are also found in the seminiferous tubules and play a role in spermA sperm is a male germ cell or sex cell that contributes to the fertilization of the female egg. Sperm contain genetic material that, when combined with the egg, leads to the development of a new organism. movement. In affected dogs, the spermA sperm is a male germ cell or sex cell that contributes to the fertilization of the female egg. Sperm contain genetic material that, when combined with the egg, leads to the development of a new organism. are often immobile, which impairs reproduction.

Diagnosis

The diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. of PCD can be challenging because the symptoms are non-specific and can also occur in other respiratoryRespiratory refers to breathing or the process of breathing. Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory tract and can impair the ability to breathe effectively. diseases. A thorough history and clinical examination are the first step in the diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients.. The veterinarian will ask about the medical historyThe medical history is the systematic collection of a patient's medical history through questioning. It includes information about previous illnesses, treatments, allergies, and lifestyle habits. and the symptoms present and perform a physical examination.

To confirm the diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients., specialized tests may be required. A ciliary biopsyA biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small amount of tissue is removed from the body to be examined under a microscope for signs of disease. Biopsies can help diagnose cancer and other conditions. or nasalNasal refers to the nose and nasal cavities. In veterinary medicine, this can involve examinations, treatments, or diseases affecting the nose of dogs and cats. swabs can be performed to examine the structure and function of the ciliaCilia are fine, hair-like structures found on the surface of cells. They move rhythmically to move fluids across the cell surface or to propel the cell itself. under the microscope. The search is on for characteristic anomalies that indicate PCD.

Other diagnostic procedures may include X-rays or CT scans of the chest to assess the condition of the lungs. A blood testA blood test is a laboratory procedure in which blood is drawn and analyzed to obtain information about the body's health. It can include various parameters such as blood sugar, blood count, liver and kidney values. and analysis of nasalNasal refers to the nose and nasal cavities. In veterinary medicine, this can involve examinations, treatments, or diseases affecting the nose of dogs and cats. secretions can also help rule out other causes of the symptoms.

Therapy

Since PCD is a genetic disease, there is currently no cure. Treatment therefore focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing complications. An important part of treatment is regular cleaning of the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. to remove accumulated mucus and prevent infectionAn infection is the colonization and multiplication of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites in an organism, which often, but not always, leads to a disease..

Medications such as antibiotics may be prescribed to treat existing infections. Anti-inflammatory drugsAnti-inflammatory drugs are medications that reduce inflammation. They can be divided into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids and are used in dogs and cats to reduce Inflammatory conditions and Pain. can also be used to reduce Entzündungen in the Atemwege. In some cases, mucolytic drugs can also be used to facilitate the removal of mucus.

Physiotherapeutic measures, such as so-called “respiratoryRespiratory refers to breathing or the process of breathing. Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory tract and can impair the ability to breathe effectively. therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions.”, can also be helpful. These techniques help to mobilize mucus from the respiratory tractThe respiratory tract includes the organs and structures involved in the breathing process, including the nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs. and facilitate breathing. In severe cases, oxygen therapyTherapy refers to the treatment of diseases or disorders with the aim of alleviating symptoms, promoting healing, or improving quality of life. Therapies can be medicinal, surgical, or through other medical interventions. may be necessary to support breathing.

Prognosis and follow-up care

The prognosis for dogs with PCD varies depending on the severity of the disease and the response to treatment. With early diagnosisA diagnosis is the identification of a disease or condition by its symptoms and/or results from diagnostic tests. It is the first step in the management and treatment of patients. and consistent treatment, many dogs can live a relatively normal life, although they may require regular veterinary monitoring and care.

However, PCD is a chronicChronic refers to a condition or disease that is long-lasting or permanent. Chronic diseases often develop slowly and can lead to persistent or recurring health problems over time. disease that often requires lifelong treatment. Complications such as recurrent respiratoryRespiratory refers to breathing or the process of breathing. Respiratory diseases affect the respiratory tract and can impair the ability to breathe effectively. infections and lung problems can impair quality of life and shorten life expectancy. Regular collaboration with a veterinarian is crucial to monitor the dog’s health and adjust treatment.

Prevention

Since PCD is genetic, preventionPrevention includes measures taken to prevent diseases or injuries. In veterinary medicine, this includes vaccinations, parasite control, and health monitoring. is primarily focused on breeding practices. Breeders should be careful not to use animals with known genetic defects or a family history of PCD for breeding. Genetic tests can help identify carriers of the defective gene and minimize the risk of passing it on to offspring.

It is also important that new owners of dogs from affected breeds are informed about the risk of PCD and watch out for early signs of the disease. Early detection and treatment can help improve the quality of life of affected dogs and avoid complications.