Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate
This developmental condition occurs when parts of the lip or roof of the mouth don’t fully fuse before birth. Depending on the area affected, dogs may have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.
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Signs and symptoms
Puppies that have cleft palate can have difficulty eating and may present for weight loss. They are also more likely to accidentally aspirate food and are often noted to have persistent coughing and a runny nose due to respiratory infections; in severe cases this can progress to pneumonia.
Signs are first recognized in puppies.Uncover health risks with Embark
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Diagnosis
Genetic testing and clinical signs can be used to diagnose this condition.
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Treatment
Cleft lip without cleft palate is a relatively cosmetic condition that can be corrected surgically if desired. Cleft palate can often be surgically repaired.
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What to do if your dog is at risk
Actions
- Talk to your vet about your dog’s cleft lip or palate result so you can discuss whether any signs of this condition are present and plan care if needed.
- Monitor your puppy for signs such as milk or food coming from the nose, coughing during feeding, or difficulty gaining weight.
- If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet promptly for evaluation and guidance on safe feeding and possible treatment options.
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Genetic Information
This mutation was first described in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
This mutation has an autosomal recessive inheritance, meaning that dogs must have two copies of the mutation in order to show clinical signs. Many causes of cleft lip and cleft palate do not have a known genetic cause at this time.
Gene names:
ADAMTS20 ‐ chr
Inheritance type:
recessive
Citations:
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Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds
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