Cleft Palate

Has anyone ever had a puppy with a cleft palate? We are getting in a 5 month old that was going to be euthanized from the shelter tomorrow. The "breeder" (f***er) dropped off the 2 puppies to be put down. She also has a bad hernia.

Also, we need a name for her-suggestions?

I know Diane has had at least one. Sadly, they can be very hard to keep alive. I hope the babies are good and strong and do well! I would think that her current age bodes well for her! I'll think of names...maybe pics will help...

ETA--after reading what Rona wrote, I'd read your post as "cleft palate," not "cleft lip," so ignore me if that's what it is!

Is the palate cleft too? If she's made it to 5 months there's hope, but they are a lot of work. CAn I put in a request for "Puck and LouLou" in honour of my two darling departed girls, as the names for these two? I'm gonna be a bit selfish.

I meant cleft palate, I fixed my title, I was typing while I was on the phone, and had a brain freeze, sorry! I know the outcome isn't usually good from what I have been reading but I am hoping since she is 5 months, that means she can eat and hopefully is strong. Either way, we want her out of the shelter.

I agree with Rona, if the puppy has made it to 5 months there is hope. There is surgery to correct the problem that is usually done around 6-8 months old (once the head has gown in a bit). However, with clefts there are usually other major issues, the biggest one being "holes" in the heart. I would have a full health assesment done before proceeding with such an evasive and expensive surgery. An ultrasound of the heart and a full CBC will help rule out any other issues.

We had a American Bulldog puppy with a severe cleft palate relinquished to our veterinary clinic when he was 2 days old (I have pics somewhere on my fb, but not of the cleft pallate). His was so severe that until he had his reconstructive surgery at 8 weeks, he had to be tube fed. As he got larger and stronger, it was so hard, but there was no way he would have been able to eat or drink without aspirating into his lungs and dying on the spot. As the others have said, that fact that this pup is at 5 months is a good sign, but it is common in my experience that cleft pallate pups have other issues. Luckily our little guy was adopted by a tech who worked at a specialty center. She had a great relationship with the dr who did the surgery free of cost.