Friday, July 31, 2009

Another bit of advice needed for my boy!!?

I know I have already asked loads of questions about my baby but I like to have others opinions and well he is a special boy!! He also has a cleft pallet and although I know the basics about it and how it affects the horse im not really that knowledgeable about it and would like to know and understand more about it!! I have never come across anyone who has a horse with a cleft pallet or even anyone who knows a horse with one! Seems very rare?? Apparently they normally die as babies?? Does anyone know anymore about it?? Would be good to hear other peoples experience of i!!
Answers:
OK, I give this a shot. The hard and soft palates are what separate the nasal and oral cavity. as on people it the roof of the mouth. If this does not form correctly there may be a "Cleft" in the roof of the mouth. Usually toward the back of the palate there will be an opening. So, basically the nose (Nostrils) have a direct opening to the throat. Foals can become choked when trying to nurse and milk can come out their nose when the head is down. Sort of like a person drinking milk and we make them laugh and milk comes out their nose, only with the Cleft it comes through the abnormal opening. Sometimes this can be fixed with surgery especially if the hole is small and is in the soft palate area.
This the best I can explain. I not a Vet, but, when you have 5 horses you have to act like you are. :-p
PetSmart.com - Shop for all of your pet supplies for dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles or small pets. Get answers %26 expert advice for the care of your pet.and good luke
Ive also never come across a horse with a cleft pallet so cant really answer your question - but would recommend you search this under the likes of google - they usually have pages of information on things like this !
xx
Phone the vet! It might not be fatal, but it is possible. It can cause pneumonia and and it might breathe in things that it drinks and eats, filling up the lungs. As i said before, if you haven't already, phone the vet now! A number of lung diseases can result. Surgical correction of the palate is an option and will result in a few weeks of anti biotics, but it's worth it as the cleft palate could become infected.
Good Luck : )
Whenever I am faced with a difficult question I research the Equine Teaching University that has a specialist in the area of my interest. Then I call. Most times I have no problem getting much needed advice over the phone from very informative veterinarians. I have in fact gone to several Universities with my horses and dogs in the past where I have received the best of care and recommendations.
you can go to wikipedia.org and they will tell you everything you need to know.
What about bitless! By the sounds of it he shouldn't have a bit in his mouth.

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