Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I am adopting a puppy with a cleft palate. He will be 5 days old when I pick him up on Monday. He will have an esophigial feeding tube. As I have researched the internet for ideas for him, most people posting experiences with surgical repair are not reporting positive things. It seems that people are opting to allow their dogs to grow and learn to eat with the clefts left open. Does anyone have experience in this? Can you give me any advice? We are really excited to embark on this new adventure and are grateful for any advice to make our little guy more comfortable. Thanks in advance.
Mandee

I have never had any experience in this area but doing a little research into it... I find it not necessarily a death sentence for the pup when people are willing to put their time and effort into it. You should be commended for your actions. From what I read... in the past vets would recommend cleft puppie to be euthanized but that isn't the case anymore. As time progresses the cleft if it isn't to severe could close naturally or surgery might be an alternative, however if the cleft palate is regarded as being to severe then it's recommended to have the pup put to sleep. I read of a 3½ Bulldog that has so far lived a fairly normally life outside of the mouth being checked daily. If your vet feels that the cleft palate can be repaired I would definitely go that route. Good luck and please keep us updated.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

I worked for a lady that had a Ridgeback pup with a cleft palate. Several months, three times a day of tube feeding with Goats milk, dry, add water if needed,that she got at a health food store, mixed with can dog food and put in a blender till liquid. Do not use baby food to mix in unless you read the contents, some have onion powder in them. Be sure you know how to tube it can be dangerous and deadly if not done properly

As I remember the pup had about 2 or 3 operations, at different ages to slowly close up the cleft palate.

The pup is fine and is still living a long and great life.

Get a vet that wants to get involved with this, it can be done.

Good luck and come back and post how things are going.

What ya going to name the Pup?

Cheryl

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1651&articleid=928

http://www.naturalholistic.com/tubefeeding.html

Check out these links the second one even has a youtube to see how it is actually done.

Good Luck,

PHKeeper

www.naturalholistic.com/tubefeeding.html

PHKeeper, that video link to the tube feeding was very interesting!
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.