CLEFT PALATES - TO CULL OR NOT TO CULL?

Every once in a while a puppy is born to most lines (whether a breeder notices or wishes to admit it) that has a defect to either the bard or soft palate or in some instances to both. Some defects are so small that even Vets do not notice them and these defects go on to close without the breeder being any the wiser. Sadly it tends to be the more obvious defects that are most apparent.

Puppies are often born a good size and in a healthy condition, they may indeed appear to nurse as well as their littermates (not all cleft palate pups have milk flowing from their noses) but at weighing time it is obvious that the pup is not gaining weight and is most likely losing weight.

Time to look in the mouth I hear you say. What might you see? Well unless you know what you are looking for, you may see nothing but an apparently normal mouth!
The reason for this is that a thin layer of skin covers some cleft palates and the gaping cleft is otherwise hidden.

Now for the dilemma, yes I know what the books say and who am I to disagree? "... all puppies with defects should be painlessly destroyed..." This is all very well if you notice the defect early and the puppy is obviously disadvantaged by its condition. However, what if you have a delightful little pup, who is active and vibrant?

A few years ago I was faced with this predicament. On making enquires there was no one willing or able to offer any advise. Being a sentimental old fool I chose to take one day at a time and see what happened. Given that the pup was not in distress or suffering in any way I decided to bottle feed her and care for her by keeping her with the bitch and letting her 'nurse' with her littermates.

Days stretched into weeks and the little pup flourished. Apart from being slightly smaller than her littermates she passed all the usual milestones expected of her. I have no doubt that she would have continued this way for many happy years, but by this stage the bond between us was so strong that I decided to have the palate surgically repaired.

Surgery is quite simple (despite what they might tell you!) although a bit fiddly due to the small working space and although I chose a specialist centre to perform the surgery, it is within the bounds of most experienced Vets.

Based on the principle that whatever is damaged will heal, the Vet cuts a flap of skin away from the upper gum line and peels it over the cleft and stitches it in place. The surgically damaged area heals naturally and the roof of the mouth has a tough protective layer, which after healing is strong enough to withstand whatever the dog can throw at it, including bones etc.

The only reason I tell you all this is because the condition is not as rare as we would like to believe. Each case is different and indeed each breeder must decide the course of action, but remember for there is an alternative to culling.

Members might be interested to note, that since giving a high dose of Folic Acid to all my bitches from mating to whelping I have never whelped another puppy with a cleft palate.