Hello, I just found this wonderful site. I have a bitch called Ella and her litter:)
They are all gorgeous but "Spike" has been hand reared since birth. Finally yesterday we got the diagnosis of a cleft palate, it is as we suspected from day 1 but after several trips to the vet it was finally big enough to see yesterday. He is small, grunty and snuffly but feeds well and is very lively. We can have him operated on at 3 months providing he doesn't get pnumonia, does anyone have any tips to keep him healthy til then, and will he still be good as a working dog??

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Hi ellasmum

If you click on the search button at the top right of the page and use cleft as your keyword you will get directed to a few threads with mention of pups with problems.

There are some success stories in amongst them although the outcome has not been great for a number of the pups.

Best of luck with Spike :)

Thanks Sara, am searching now :)

Welcome to the Forum :)

Thanks Melody :)
Have read through all the relevent posts and am still feeling hopeful (ok, call me silly) this guy is so far doing v well, the hole is tiny and he has reached 4 weeks with no problems other than snuffles and size (is there any way we can post pics here?)
I have a sneaky feeling we will be keeping him ;) but his owners are coming over later to discuss options. I still have a fab bitch called "Buffy" available if they want to swap, Willow Oz and Dru all have happy homes waiting *grins sheepishly*
I feel I will be spending many an hour here.....

If it's just one or two tiny holes in the soft palate then go for it. It's not that tricky a procedure and can be successful. My boys sister had a cleft and she has had to have four lots of surgery now - but she is a livewire and healthy in all other ways. Hers did turn out to be more tricky than first thought - but she's had a chance and has done well. Before her last op - she did use to get snuffles as food or liquid would get through the hole and she got the odd infection - but since the last op she's been fine.

As you've come this far - I'd give the lad a chance.

jmho

Pam n the boys

Thanks everyone (sara I guess no chat is allowed, my replies got deleted to)
Spike has had 2 assesments now, and we are going to be referred to Cambridge vet school. I am pretty sure he will have to be pts but not for want of trying. Very sad that he is seeming so well, just a wheeze after he has eaten, but the hole is very low down the back of his throat.
Thanks for your help.

Hi ellasmum

I guess we need to go to "idlechat" to talk about cockers. Or maybe "general" cos there is something on there about egg throwing so I guess you must be able to use it for idle and non dog related chat....
I really hope all goes well. I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Cambridge is pretty good. Where I used to be a vet nurse, we used to refer people there and often the prognosis was good.
Let us know how you get on...Millie sends him a lick!
steph
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