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==Signalment==
==Signalment==
Dogs are more commonly affected than cats. In particular brachycephalic breeds are more commonly affected. Other at risk breeds include, Boston terriers, Pekingese, minature schnauzers, beagles and cocker spaniels.
Dogs are more commonly affected than cats. In particular brachycephalic breeds are more commonly affected. Other at [[Canine Breeds - WikiNormals| risk breeds]] include, Boston terriers, Pekingese, minature schnauzers, beagles and cocker spaniels.
Siamese are the most commonly affected cat breed.
Siamese are the most commonly affected cat breed.
Present at birth but not always noticed straight away.
Present at birth but not always noticed straight away.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
==History and Clinical Signs==
==History and Clinical Signs==
Failure to thrive with signs such as nasal discharge, nasal milk regurgitation, gagging coughing or sneezing during nursing, and respiratory infection due to aspiration pneumonia or rhinitis.
Failure to thrive with signs such as nasal discharge, nasal milk regurgitation, gagging, coughing or sneezing during nursing, and respiratory infection due to aspiration pneumonia or rhinitis.
Diagnosis is made on physical exam. A cleft lip can be easily identified however a full oral examination is needed to diagnose incomplete closure of the premaxilla, hard and soft palate.
Diagnosis is made on physical exam. A cleft lip can be easily identified however a full oral examination is needed to diagnose incomplete closure of the premaxilla, hard and soft palate.
Aspiration pneumonia should also be treated with appropriate antibiotics, expectorants and oxygen.
Aspiration pneumonia should also be treated with appropriate antibiotics, expectorants and oxygen.
Surgery should be delayed until the animal is 12-14 weeks old or longer if possible in order to get the best possible post surgical outcome. More mature tissue is less friable and holds suture better.
Surgery should be delayed until the animal is 12-14 weeks old or longer if possible in order to get the best possible post surgical outcome. More mature tissue is less friable and holds suture better.
Surgical correction is normally only carried out if the defect is small and owners must be warned that more severly affected animals may need multiple procedures.
===Hard palate defects===
Three procedures have been described the Lagenbeck or sliding pedicle technique whereby longitudinal strips of mucosa are released from the hard palate and slid together at the midline. Hard palate bone is exposed laterally however granulation and epithelisation occur quickly.
The second technique is the Sandwich or overlapping flap technique where by a donor bed is created by releasing strips of mucosa from the opposite thirdly a combination technique can be applied where both of the above tecniques are used to produce a double layer of mucosa over the cleft.
===Soft Palate defects===
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==
*The commonest structural defect is probably the various forms of cleft palate due to:
*The commonest structural defect is probably the various forms of cleft palate due to: