Professional paper

Cleft palate in dogs and cats

Gabriela Bošnjak
Dražen Vnuk ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirna Abaffy Kirin ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Pećin ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Lipar ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Cleft palate is a craniofacial defect that occurs frequently in dogs, cats and other mammals, including humans. Failure of the structures that form the palate to fuse leads to the formation of abnormal communication between the oral cavity, the oropharynx, the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx. The precise causes of congenital cleft palate are not fully known, but environmental and genetic factors play a role. Animals
with cleft palate are excluded from further breeding. Causes of acquired cleft palate include trauma, chronic infections and neoplasia. In the diagnosis of this defect, veterinarians use visual examination of the oral cavity, and in preparation for surgical reconstruction both RTG and CT imaging. In many cases, animals with cleft palate are euthanized because of the cost and intensive care required. Surgical reconstruction of the
cleft palate is performed at the age of 3-4 months. Its aim is to close the abnormal communication between the oral and nasal cavities and to provide for the physiological function of the palate. Closure of a cleft palate is achieved by reconstruction flaps, without tension. There are several surgical techniques, and the one that is least invasive and achieves a successful outcome is selected.

Keywords

cleft palate; causes; cat; dog; surgical reconstruction

Hrčak ID:

295359

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/295359

Publication date:

18.12.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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