Cleft palate in dogs is a disease of congenital origin that, although rare, is quite dangerous. The dog suffering from this condition has difficulty performing some of the most basic functions of a living being: breathing and feeding. When referring to this disease, some people call cleft palate a cleft lip. Thus, the two names cause a lot of confusion,especially for those who are not familiar with the terms. But after all: are cleft palate and cleft lip in dogs the same thing? Actually, no! Although they are often associated, they are different medical conditions. the Paws of the House explains below what differentiates cleft palate from cleft lip in dogs and what these diseases have in common. check out!

What is cleft palate in dogs?

Cleft palate in dogs happens when there is a kind of fissure in the animal's palate. In canine anatomy, the palate is what we popularly call the "roof of the mouth." This region is responsible for separating the mouth (dog's digestive system) from the nasal cavity (canine respiratory system). When the animal is born with a "hole" in the palate region, we have a case of cleft palate. Dogthen has difficulty breathing and eating, as the food can end up in the respiratory system instead of going to digestion. Thus, in addition to not breathing properly, the dog suffers from a lack of nutrients, as the food is not properly digested.

Cleft palate in dogs arises when, still during gestation, the tissues of the fetus do not close properly. The disease is considered hereditary, but it is believed that some factors may predispose its development, such as nutritional deficit of the mother and frequent exposure to x-rays. As cleft palate in dogs happens on the animal's palate (i.e. inside the mouth), it is not always visibleTherefore, it is important to be aware of the symptoms that already appear in the first days of life: choking when feeding, secretions leaking from the nostrils (including food and breast milk), nausea, coughing, excessive salivation, dyspnea and aerophagia.

What is cleft lip in dogs?

Cleft lip in dogs occurs when there is a kind of cleft in the animal's lip. As with cleft palate, dogs are born with this condition. Therefore, it is also a hereditary disease caused by a malformation of the fetus during pregnancy. In this case, however, it is not the palate that suffers. The dog with cleft lip is born with the upper lip joined to the base of the nose. In some cases, thishe disease does not cause major problems for the animal's health, but complications can occur. Very large clefts leave a part of the jaw very exposed, which favours the appearance of infections there. In addition, the dog can also develop problems with the gums and the canine dentition. As cleft lip in dogs occurs on the upper lip, it is very noticeable.

The dog with cleft lip is more likely to develop cleft palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate in dogs are diseases that are often confused because they have similarities. Both are hereditary in origin and arise from malformations during canine gestation. The main reason many people think the two conditions are the same is that the dog with cleft lip often develops cleft palate as well. This is not a rule,but it is quite common for the malformation to occur on both the lips and the palate of animals. As the number of cases of animals that have both diseases at the same time is quite large, this confusion occurs. However, always remember that they are different conditions that need different care.

Dog with cleft lip and/or cleft palate needs surgery

The treatment for cases of cleft lip and/or cleft palate in dogs is usually surgical. In the case of a dog with an isolated cleft lip, the operation is more for aesthetic purposes and is not always necessary. However, it can also help to prevent the animal with the condition from aspirating food through the nostrils, as they are joined with the upper lip. The ideal is to talk to the veterinarianIn the case of cleft palate in dogs, surgery is essential. The operation will close the cleft in the palate, ensuring that both food and air follow their flows correctly without diverting to the wrong side.

Cleft lip and/or cleft palate surgery in dogs can only be performed from the age of three months, because before that the pet cannot be submitted to canine anesthesia, which is mandatory for the procedure to be performed. In many cases where there is only cleft lip, the puppy can even feed well until he reaches the age necessary for surgery (always prefer pasty foods). already.in cases of cleft lip with cleft palate or isolated cleft palate, the puppy will have to be fed through a gastrostomy tube while the procedure is being performed. Everything must be monitored by a veterinarian.