My dog’s internal organs are on the wrong side - why?
Question
My dog keeps getting pneumonia, and we just found out her internal organs are on the wrong side. Help!
Answer
The condition is called Ciliary Dyskinesia or Immotile Cilia Syndrome. There are many forms of the disease and one in which the organs of the chest and abdomen are on the wrong side. In people it is called Kartagener’s Syndrome. The disease cannot be directly treated.
Most cases develop multiple bouts of bacterial pneumonia, which are treated with appropriate antibiotics when they develop. The long-term prognosis for pets with this condition is guarded. Some animals have been maintained for more than five years, with intermittent therapy. Most of these dogs are infertile, but breeders should strongly consider not breeding relatives of affected dogs.
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