Cleft Palate in Cats

Cleft palate is a developmental disorder that occurs when the palate does not fuse properly. Due to the cleft palate, there is an opening between the oral cavity and the nasal-sinus cavity. This problem can occur on the hard, bony side of the palate, as well as on the soft, flexible part that supports swallowing. In some cats, both sides of the palate may be affected by the cleft.

The disorder occurs in the womb. It is usually quite noticeable at birth or shortly after birth. If left untreated, the kitten's chances of survival are quite low.

Cleft palate in cats is a condition that can be corrected with surgery. The extent, condition, and size of the cleft are some of the factors affecting treatment planning. Cleft palate treatment can be quite challenging. In this article, you can find information about the symptoms, causes, and treatment processes of cleft palate in cats.

Symptoms and Causes of Cleft Palate in Cats

Since cleft palate is visible to the naked eye, there is no need to look for any symptoms in its diagnosis. However, knowing the symptoms is important because it can help to detect the problem earlier in some cases and is effective in treatment planning. Common symptoms of cleft palate include;

• Sneezing,
• Coughing,
• Runny nose,
• Difficulty breastfeeding,
• Milky discharge from the nose while feeding,
• Nefes almada zorlanma,
• Weight loss,
• Slow growth,
• Loss of appetite,
• Chronic sinus infection,
• Aspiration pneumonia It is found.

Cleft palate is usually a genetic congenital disorder. It is more common in Siamese, Persian, or Savannah breeds. Cleft palates are more common in female cats than male cats. Exposure of a pregnant cat to certain chemicals, use of various medications, cortisone treatment, and excessive intake of vitamins A and D can cause cleft palate in the embryo.

How is it Diagnosed?

After kittens are born, their mouths should be examined to check their development. However, cleft palate may not be visible immediately after birth. Therefore, attention should be paid to feeding problems that may arise shortly after. The appearance of milky bubbles from the kitten's nose while nursing is a serious sign indicating a cleft palate. If a cleft palate is encountered, the kitten should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Otherwise, pneumonia or death may occur.

The veterinarian performs a physical examination on the cat for diagnosis. Deformities occurring in the front part of the palate are easily visible. However, deformities in the back of the mouth may be difficult to diagnose. Anesthesia may be administered to the cat for a complete examination. X-rays should be taken to check for pneumonia. In addition to the cleft palate, the cat is also checked for other diseases or heart anomalies.

Cleft Palate Treatment

Treatment of cleft palate in cats requires more than one surgery. The kitten is expected to be about 3-4 weeks old before the surgery can be performed. During this time, the oral cavity grows sufficiently and the cleft shrinks somewhat.

Cleft palate surgery is a very delicate operation and should therefore be performed by experienced veterinarians. The complexity of the surgery actually depends on the size of the cleft. If the cleft palate is large, tissue grafting or the use of an intraoral device may be necessary. There is a risk of the cleft reopening and causing problems after surgery.

Cats with cleft palates also experience various problems due to malnutrition. In this case, the anesthesia used for surgery may become risky. A cat with a cleft palate needs to be fed specially from birth until surgery. For this, food is usually placed behind the cleft using a feeding tube. Once the method of tube feeding is learned, the procedure is quite simple. Feeding kittens approximately every two hours is sufficient.

These cats have a high risk of pneumonia due to food entering the lungs. Such a situation creates a serious health problem and threatens the cat's life. If you suspect food has entered your cat's lungs, you should contact a veterinarian immediately. Also, since the disorder is genetically inherited, cats with cleft palates must be neutered.