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[[Image:Cleft-palate.gif|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>A congenital cleft palate defect (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
[[Image:Cleft-palate.gif|right|thumb|300px|<small><center>A congenital cleft palate defect (Courtesy of Alun Williams (RVC))</center></small>]]
==Description==
==Description==
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.
In some instances anaesthesia may be required to diagnose a soft palate problem.
In some instances anaesthesia may be required to diagnose a soft palate problem.
If a primary palate problem is recognised always check for a secondary problem.
Increased noise over lung fields may be heard if aspiration pneumonia is present.
Increased noise over lung fields may be heard if aspiration pneumonia is present.
Affected animals often have other concurrent congenital abnormalities and hence a thorough physical exam should be undertaken.
Affected animals often have other concurrent congenital abnormalities and hence a thorough physical exam should be undertaken.
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
A large proportion of animals with primary or secondary palate defects die or are euthanased.
Medical management
Affected animals should fed via a feeding tube to avoid aspiration pneumonia until surgery can be undertaken.
Aspiration pneumonia should also be treated with appropriate antibiotics, expectorants and oxygen.
==Prognosis==
==Prognosis==