Palatal Repairs
Dogs and cats’ mouths are essential for eating, drinking, exploring, licking, and breathing. Keeping their mouths healthy is a great way to extend their lives and improve their overall comfort and quality of life. Sometimes, pets are born with or develop problems in the roof of their mouth, like a cleft palate. These issues can make it hard for them to eat, drink, or even breathe properly. At the Veterinary Dental Center of Atlanta, we offer palatal repairs, ensuring your pet’s oral health is restored and their quality of life improves.
What Is a Cleft Palate?
A cleft palate is a condition in which there’s an opening in the roof of the mouth that communicates with the nasal sinuses. This gap can cause food and liquids to pass between the mouth and nose, leading to difficulties eating and breathing. It can even lead to sinus and lung infections from food and liquids entering the airway spaces. Cleft palates can happen while a pet develops in the womb or can be caused by an injury. If not treated, cleft palates can lead to severe problems like sinus and lung infections, malnutrition, or difficulty breathing.
Signs Your Pet Might Have a Palate Problem
If your pet has a palate issue, here are some signs to watch for:
- Struggles to eat or nurse, especially in puppies and kittens
- Food and/or liquid coming out of their nose during or after eating/drinking
- Sneezing or a runny nose
- Coughing or choking often, especially around eating/drinking
- A visible gap or hole in the roof of the mouth
- Difficulty breathing
- Losing weight or not gaining weight as expected
- Frequent respiratory infections
If you notice any of these signs, bringing your pet in for an examination as soon as possible is important.
How Palatal Repair Surgery Works
At the Veterinary Dental Center of Atlanta, our skilled veterinarians are experienced in diagnosing and treating palatal defects. First, we will examine your pet’s mouth and take dental X-rays to get a clear picture of the issue. Surgery is typically needed to close the opening in the palate, helping your pet eat, drink, and breathe normally.
During palatal repair surgery, we carefully close the gap using special techniques to ensure your pet’s mouth functions properly again. For pets born with a cleft palate, surgery is often performed once they are old enough to safely undergo anesthesia, typically between 4-10 months of age. For injuries, it’s best to act quickly to prevent further problems.
What to Expect After Surgery
After the surgery, your pet will need special care for a smooth recovery. This may include:
- A soft or liquid diet to avoid putting pressure on the repaired area
- Medications to manage pain and possibly to treat infections
- Regular check-ups to make sure the mouth is healing well
- Gradually return to normal eating and activity as your pet recovers
Our team will provide all the information you need for at-home care specific to your pet’s needs.
Why Choose Veterinary Dental Center of Atlanta for Palatal Repairs?
We understand how much your pet means to you. That’s why we are dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care using the latest techniques in veterinary dentistry. Our experienced team will work closely with you to create the right treatment plan for your pet, ensuring they receive the best possible care.
If you think your pet has a palate issue, contact us today. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in your pet’s health and happiness.