What Is Cleft Palate in Dogs?
A cleft palate in dogs refers to a gap along the center of the roof of the mouth. The size of this gap can vary from small (a few millimeters) to severe (spanning the entire length of the hard and soft palate). Consequently, there’s an absence of tissue connection between the mouth and nasal passages, leading to challenges such as eating difficulties, trouble nursing, and inadequate growth for the dog.
Symptoms
Signs of a cleft palate in dogs are often conspicuous and may result in various health complications due to the structural anomaly. These signs encompass:
- Nursing Challenges: Puppies with a cleft palate struggle to generate sufficient suction while nursing, as the oral passage remains connected to the nasal cavity. Consequently, milk or food intake may lead to sneezing, nasal discharge, rhinitis, regurgitation, and gagging.
- Impaired Growth: Inadequate nutrition due to difficulties in nursing and eating typically results in stunted growth and lethargy among many puppies and dogs with cleft palates.
- Aspiration Pneumonia: Ingesting food or water into the lungs can provoke lung infections. Symptoms may include coughing, fever, lethargy, respiratory distress, and potentially fatal outcomes, depending on the dog’s age.
- Facial Abnormalities: Some dogs with cleft palates may exhibit facial deformities, such as a cleft lip, in addition to their palate issue.
- Additional Complications: While not always immediately evident and contingent on the underlying cause of the cleft palate, complications involving the inner and middle ear, swallowing mechanism, nasal septum, sinuses, and teeth may arise over time.
Causes
Cleft palate in dogs manifests in two forms:
Congenital cleft palate arises at birth when the palate fails to fuse properly during days 25-28 of gestation. Several factors can contribute to this condition:
- Genetic Factors: The majority of congenital cleft palates stem from genetic predispositions. Thus, dogs exhibiting any level of cleft palate should undergo spaying or neutering and should not be utilized for breeding purposes.
- Nutritional Factors: Cleft palates may result from excessive dietary vitamin A or insufficient folic acid intake during pregnancy.
- Medications: Notably, steroids, aspirin, griseofulvin, and certain anti-seizure medications taken during pregnancy can lead to cleft palate in puppies.
- Viral Infections: Exposure to specific viruses during particular stages of pregnancy can lead to cleft palate in newborn puppies.
Acquired cleft palate denotes a new defect that emerges in an initially normal palate. Possible causes include:
- Trauma: Such as gunshot wounds, bite injuries, thermal/electric burns, or blunt-force trauma.
- Periodontal Disease
- Presence of Foreign Bodies in the Mouth
- Cancer
Dog Breeds That Are Prone to Cleft Palate
Purebred dogs, particularly brachycephalic breeds characterized by short muzzles and flat faces, are more susceptible to cleft palate. Among these brachycephalic breeds, Boston terriers, Pekingese, Boxers, and Bulldogs are commonly predisposed to cleft palates. Additionally, other breeds that may exhibit congenital cleft palate include:
- Miniature schnauzers
- Beagles
- Cocker spaniels
- Dachshunds
- Brittany spaniels
- Shih tzus
- Great Pyrenees
- Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers
While a genetic association may exist in some of these breeds, cleft palate can occur in both purebred and non-purebred dogs due to various causes.
Diagnosis
Typically, veterinarians diagnose cleft palate primarily through a physical examination, particularly in newborn puppies. For older animals, sedation may be necessary for a comprehensive oral inspection to identify any communication between the nasal and oral cavities.
During the examination, veterinarians also assess other abnormalities, with particular attention to the lungs for indications of pneumonia or infection. Radiographs may be employed to assess abnormalities in the skull, nasal sinuses, membranes, as well as the oral and nasal cavities, along with issues related to the inner and middle ear and the teeth.
In certain cases, veterinarians may utilize additional imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans. For acquired cleft palate resulting from infections or tumors, biopsy and histopathology can provide further diagnostic insight.
Treatment
The majority of congenital and acquired cleft palate cases necessitate surgical correction performed by board-certified veterinary dentists and surgeons. While a few acquired clefts may resolve spontaneously, most require intervention.
For dogs with cleft palate, multiple surgeries are often necessary, with the initial procedure being of utmost importance due to the potential impact of scar tissue on subsequent surgeries. Surgeons employ various techniques depending on factors such as the size, location (hard versus soft palate), and severity of the cleft.
The primary objective of surgery is to restore separate oral and nasal cavities and reconstruct the nasal cavity floor. The most prevalent method involves a flap technique, where healthy tissue from within the mouth is relocated to cover the deformity. Other less common surgical approaches include:
- Stem cells
- Bone grafts
- Prostheses
- Platelet-rich plasma injected at the surgical site
Living and Management
Newborn puppies born with cleft palate often necessitate tube-feeding until they reach an appropriate age for surgery, typically beyond 8-12 weeks. This measure reduces the risk of aspiration pneumonia and ensures adequate nutrition for the puppy. Older dogs should consume small, meatball-sized portions of dog food to minimize the risk of preoperative aspiration pneumonia.
Prior to surgery, all active infections must be effectively treated. Dogs presenting with chronic rhinitis or pneumonia may require oral or intravenous antibiotics both before and after surgery. Additionally, appropriate pain relief medications will be prescribed for the postoperative period.
Dehiscence, characterized by the breakdown of the surgical site, is a common complication following surgery. Factors contributing to surgical site breakdown include tension at the surgery site, limited space in the mouth, surgical trauma, and postoperative trauma from eating or chewing. To facilitate proper wound healing, dogs should refrain from hard food and chew toys for several weeks post-surgery and instead be fed a diet with a thick liquid consistency. Postoperative reevaluation appointments with the surgeon are typically scheduled at 2-4 week intervals.
Dogs with chronic rhinitis may experience occasional flare-ups and may require ongoing medication management even after surgery. However, with successful surgery and a healed palate, the prognosis for these dogs is generally favorable.
Cleft Palate in Dogs FAQs
Can a puppy with cleft palate survive?
A puppy born with cleft palate can indeed survive. However, such puppies may require vigilant monitoring and treatment for various medical conditions. The journey may involve multiple surgeries, proving to be lengthy, challenging, and emotionally taxing.
Is cleft palate hereditary in dogs?
Certain types of cleft palates are congenital, meaning they are present at birth and may have genetic origins.
Can a cleft palate repair itself in dogs?
While small acquired cleft palates, such as those caused by foreign objects in the mouth, infection, or dental issues, can sometimes self-heal, this occurrence is rare. Most cleft palates necessitate surgical intervention for correction.
Does cleft palate cause any medical issues in dogs if left untreated?
Untreated cleft palate can lead to severe and potentially fatal medical complications, including chronic rhinitis, infection, lethargy, aspiration pneumonia, and even death.
