Cleft Palate Questions

[TeddyandTiffy]

I've never had a baby Yorkie born with a Cleft Palate. Never even saw a baby Yorkie born with one. I have some questions on it as I know nothing of it or how it comes about in a puppy. I would just like to learn about it. I could go searching the web for answers but I'm pretty sure some of U can answer these question better then books since U've been through it U're self maybe?? Thanks for ANY and ALL thoughts on this subject.

Can I ask why a Yorkie puppy maybe born with one?

Is it just something that happens to one in the litter?

Is it something handed down through the parents?

Is it in their genes?

How does it happen?

Can other puppies born in the same litter have them too (Say 2 born with, 1 without?).

Does it happen in the Bitches 1st litter or can it happen in any litter?

If a Bitch whelps one puppy that has one does it mean her other litters will have them too?

Is there any way to prevent a cleft palate puppy?

How do U know a puppy is born in with a cleft palate? (Does anyone have any photos of a cleft palate puppy that they might want to share?)

If U have a puppy born with a cleft palate, how do U care for it?

Do all cleft palate puppies pass away?

[JaLaYorkieGirl]

Here is a link that I think will answer most of your questions! Hope this helps!
BIRTH DEFECTS IN DOGS: CLEFT PALATE WHY AND WHEN - Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia

[YorkieRose]

I have always liked that site...

I find a cleft may happen and never again...it can be in a litter of perfectly normal, healthy siblings, who go on to produce perfectly healthy, normal puppies.
Many years ago I had one born and in the same month two friends had a cleft puppy also..all were from different sires and dams..we could find no common thread..diet, meds etc.. I have never had a female with a cleft, only tiny males..I recall 3 in 35yrs. When I rebred the bitches, none occured.

I tried to save the first one, and he cried for 3 days..the other two were put down at birth.

[lilfoot]

I have a yorkie who is 2.5 years old that has a cleft palate and a hair lip....and she is doing GREAT!!!! The vet mentioned doing surgery on her but since she is doing wonderful he sees no need at the moment.....he one concern was sinus infections but Lizzy has had none...She is a little hellion, normal in every way. Most people don't even know that she is a special need pup....unless she goes to kiss them and then her tongue comes out her nose...lol that usually freaks people out...hehehe If I can get hubby to post pictures tomorrow I will....

This was my moms first litter and our vet said we probably shouldn't breed her again because he told me that the cause of a cleft pallate isn't known....it could be that she got into a pesticide during pregnancy or just a gene problem....I asked the breeder of the mom is they had any problems but she said they didn't...(not sure if I believe her cause 2 of the moms litter mates died and they didn't give us an answer as to why)
Lizzie also had a brother and a sister and they are very healthy...they weigh about 7 or 8 pounds but Lizzie is only at 4.5 lbs.

[glory]

I remember one time a breeder telling me to not use any pine cleaners when I had a bitch in whelp...........always use javex and sunlight dish soap mixed with hot water to clean up.......that is all I use to disinfect and clean.........I had a pup born with a cleft and had to put him down at 3 days......broke my heart and it sure takes it toll on your breeding practice as I was always sick with worry everytime I bred a litter but only had one and that was enough.....make sure they have a good diet with the right foods and vitamins and folic acid which they say is why cleft palates happen.........hope this helps...
gloria

[Breny]

I definalty don't have all the answers BUT I raised a cleft baby. She is a Chihuahua, not a yorkie. And I never bred her mom again. There were 4 pups in the litter and she was the only one born with a cleft.

It was a fight, but "we" made it

She'll be 2 in July and she's the love of my life Here are some pics to show you how much smaller she was from her littermates.

[Breny]

More pictures......

[KathyinCali]

Look at that beautiful little face I can see why you are crazy about her!

[trini&coco]

Breny, she is so cute!!

[glory]

What a sweet little darling.........how is she doing.......do you have any problems and did you ever consider getting the cleft fixed or can it be fixed....
gloria

[jeanietoo]

My daughter has a cleft palate puppy. He is 17 months old now and doing fine. Lots of breeders have them put down but most could be saved if someone takes the time to work with them. They can be corrected but the surgeries are complicated and expensive and the vets we've been to have said his would probably take at least 3 surgeries and there was no garantee it would work. The biggest danger is inhalation pneumonia. We looked at it this way. He's having a very spoiled wonderful life no matter how short it may be, at least he was given a chance

[TeddyandTiffy]

Originally Posted by lilfoot

I have a yorkie who is 2.5 years old that has a cleft palate and a hair lip....and she is doing GREAT!!!! The vet mentioned doing surgery on her but since she is doing wonderful he sees no need at the moment.....he one concern was sinus infections but Lizzy has had none...She is a little hellion, normal in every way. Most people don't even know that she is a special need pup....unless she goes to kiss them and then her tongue comes out her nose...lol that usually freaks people out...hehehe If I can get hubby to post pictures tomorrow I will....

This was my moms first litter and our vet said we probably shouldn't breed her again because he told me that the cause of a cleft pallate isn't known....it could be that she got into a pesticide during pregnancy or just a gene problem....I asked the breeder of the mom is they had any problems but she said they didn't...(not sure if I believe her cause 2 of the moms litter mates died and they didn't give us an answer as to why)
Lizzie also had a brother and a sister and they are very healthy...they weigh about 7 or 8 pounds but Lizzie is only at 4.5 lbs.

Thanks so much for sharing U're story with me, Yes please post photos of her.

Can I ask what kind of Pesticide did she get into while she was pregnant? Did U adopt her from someone else or did U whelp her? Just wondering.

[TeddyandTiffy]

Originally Posted by glory

I remember one time a breeder telling me to not use any pine cleaners when I had a bitch in whelp...........always use javex and sunlight dish soap mixed with hot water to clean up.......that is all I use to disinfect and clean.........I had a pup born with a cleft and had to put him down at 3 days......broke my heart and it sure takes it toll on your breeding practice as I was always sick with worry everytime I bred a litter but only had one and that was enough.....make sure they have a good diet with the right foods and vitamins and folic acid which they say is why cleft palates happen.........hope this helps...
gloria

Really on the pine cleaners. I didn't know this. I use Pine Sol the Sparkling Wave scent now in our Yorkie room to mop the floors with. I use other cleaner that Vets use to disinfect their crates out with.

We have never had a litter that had a cleft palate baby but I was just wondering about them. Not going to have any litters this year.

Yes U're input has helped me too.

[TeddyandTiffy]

Originally Posted by Breny

I definalty don't have all the answers BUT I raised a cleft baby. She is a Chihuahua, not a yorkie. And I never bred her mom again. There were 4 pups in the litter and she was the only one born with a cleft.

It was a fight, but "we" made it

She'll be 2 in July and she's the love of my life Here are some pics to show you how much smaller she was from her littermates.

She is a doll and so much smaller too. I bet she is the love of U're life.

Can U tell me what all U had to do to help her survive? We've never had one with a cleft before. Just wondering about it.

[Breny]

Originally Posted by glory

What a sweet little darling.........how is she doing.......do you have any problems and did you ever consider getting the cleft fixed or can it be fixed....
gloria

Thank you! Tia is doing great! She spits and sputters but doesn't have too huge of issues. She can only drink from a water bottle and eats hard dog food. At this point, I'm not planning on getting it fixed. She's good the way she is and I'd hate to complicate things and make her go through that.

If I HAD to, I'd do it if she had to have it but at this point, she is living fine with it and is very happy