Congenital Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca and Ichthyosiform Dermatosis, Dry Eye Curly Coat Syndrome, CKCSID

CKCSICD puppies are born with an unusually rough, curly hair coat and do not produce tears, which leads to the early symptoms of corneal ulcers, infection, and ocular discharge. As pups grow, you may also notice that their paw pads are especially thick and crusty (hyperkeratotic) and that their nails appear malformed. Over time, the paw pads can crack and slough, causing pain and lameness. The adult hair coat grows in rough, sparse, and frizzy, and the "ichthyotic" skin scaling causes thickened, darkened skin, especially around the belly area. In adulthood, it has been noted that CKCSICD dogs have a higher incidence of dental disease.

Affected dogs are often first noted at birth, although signs continue to develop into adulthood.

Genetic and laboratory testing are used to diagnosis this disorder.

The symptoms of CKCSICD can be managed with artificial tears and antibiotics as needed for infected corneal ulcers, soothing baths for itchy skin, and conditioning creams for thick paw pads. Regular dental check ups are recommended for all adult dogs.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s CKCSID result so you can work together to plan ongoing care and monitoring.

Follow your vet’s treatment plan carefully, including any prescribed eye medications or skin care routines.

Gently clean your dog’s eyes and skin with vet-approved wipes or a soft, damp cloth to help remove buildup and keep them comfortable.

Use a humidifier or keep your home environment from getting too dry, which can help ease eye irritation and support skin moisture.

This mutation was first described in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Penetrance: This mutation is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner; that is, a dog requires two copies of the mutation to show signs of the disease.

Gene

FAM83H

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Multisystem

Citations

1. Forman et al 2012

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• English Toy Spaniel