A puppy with a cleft palate will not be able to feed or nurse on its own.The puppies may die within a few days of birth.Early intervention is important to make sure that a puppy with a cleft palate will survive to adulthood.The puppy needs to be fed by hand.Puppies with cleft palates can be fed tube feeding.After the puppy is old enough, you can discuss surgery options with your vet.Many dogs with cleft palates are able to live normal lives after surgery.
Step 1: The palate should be identified early.
Rub a finger on the top of the puppies' mouths as soon as they are born.It may be a cleft palate if you feel something in their upper palate.A cleft palate may be indicated by frequent sneezing and a "runny" nose.If you notice that puppies are unable to eat, it's most likely a cleft palate.Puppies with cleft palates will sometimes try to suckle their mother's nipple, but they won't be able to.
Step 2: Go to the vet.
The vet will be able to determine if the cleft is hard or soft.You can get supplies from the vet for tube feeding the puppy.Puppies with cleft palates have other defects as well.Make sure the vet does a full exam.
Step 3: The puppy needs to be separated from their litter.
The puppy may be at risk if they are left with the litter.You may be able to allow the puppy to stay with the litter.The heat from the mother dog keeps the puppies warm.If the puppy is too small and you're worried it will be crushed by the other puppies, you might separate them.
Step 4: A care schedule.
Puppies with cleft palates need around-the-clock care if they are to survive.The puppies need to be fed by hand every two to three hours.You will need to keep the puppy warm and help them eliminate by hand if you have to separate it from the litter.You will need to continue your care schedule around the clock until the surgery occurs since cleft palate surgeries occur around three month mark.
Step 5: Look for signs of pneumonia.
Depending on the severity of the cleft palate, the puppy may be at risk for respiratory diseases.Milk may have accidentally entered their lungs or nose.You can tube feed the puppy instead of bottle feeding it.Take the puppy to the vet if you notice any of the symptoms.
Step 6: The puppy needs to be weighed.
How much you feed the puppy depends on their weight.You can find directions on the side of the box if you use a brand of puppy milk replacer.If they're under eight ounces of weight, you should give them onecc of milk per ounce.You should give them one and a halfcc of milk per ounce of weight if they're between 8 and 24 ounces.One ounce of milk per pound of weight is what you should feed them if they are over 28 ounces.
Step 7: Prepare a puppy milk substitute.
Puppy milk replacer can be purchased at a pet store, vet's office, or online.You can make your own as well.Place the milk substitute in the microwave for 3 to 5 seconds to heat it up.Before feeding a puppy, make sure the milk is warm.You can make a homemade puppy milk substitute with 10 ounces of goats milk, one cup of plain white whole milk yogurt, and one egg yolk.Don't use low-fat dairy products.All of the puppy milk brands are commercial.You can buy them in cans or powder.You can use pedialyte if you can't get puppy milk replacer or a homemade substitute in the first 24 hours.This isn't a long term solution.
Step 8: You need to fill the needle.
You should use a 12cc feeding syringe if you want to use it without the needle.The amount of milk substitute should be based on the puppy's weight.
Step 9: Attach the tube to the needle.
A long tube will be placed down the puppy's throat.Once you have attached it, you can draw a little formula through the tube.Place the tube in the puppy's mouth.You can slowly guide the tube to the back of their throat if they suck on the end.Ask your vet to show you how to tube feed a puppy, if you have never done it before.If your vet can give you a feeding tube, they can mark on it how far the tube should go.
Step 10: Slowly press down on the needle.
Place the puppy on your lap with one hand.Hold the needle above the puppy's head and press it down.They might get air in their stomach if you go too fast.Stop if you see milk dribbling out of their mouth.Pull the end of the tube from the puppy's mouth.
Step 11: Burp the puppy.
The puppy's head and belly are on your shoulder.When they burp, gently pat their back.If air got into their stomachs during tube feeding, this will help.
Step 12: To help eliminate the puppy, massage it.
The mother licks the puppy to make them feel better before or after nursing.You will have to do this in the mother's place.Take a warm cloth, cotton ball or tissue.Rub the puppy's genitals and anus until they defecate.You could try to eliminate the puppy before nursing.
Step 13: It should be done every two to four hours.
Newborns need to be fed every two hours for the first week or two.You can start feeding them after that.You can start feeding them every five hours if they're 12 ounces.
Step 14: There is an animal hospital.
Some vets do cleft palate surgery.Find a local animal hospital that performs these surgeries and has a high success rate if you don't.The chance of a dog needing multiple surgeries decreases with an experienced surgeon.Ask your vet for a referral.They may know of an animal hospital that can help.Your vet will probably want to wait until your animal is three to four months old to have a cleft palate surgery.When the puppy is eight or nine months old, some surgeries may not take place.
Step 15: There is a cleft palate.
Some cleft palates can close on their own.If your vet tells you to wait until the puppy is older, you should check the palate frequently to see how it is healing.You should call the vet if you think the palate is getting bigger.
Step 16: They need to protect their mouths after the surgery.
One or two weeks after the surgery, your puppy will be required to wear an Elizabethan collar.They want to protect their mouths.You should not give them toys, hard foods, or other objects that they will put into their mouth.If you see the puppy chewing on something or playing with something, try to distract them.Pick them up, clap your hands, or call their name.A second surgery can be prevented by this.
Step 17: Soft foods should be fed to them.
You will not be able to give them hard food for at least two weeks.Don't feed them food that they have to chew.Your vet will tell you what to eat after surgery.You can give them canned food for two weeks if they have a cleft in their palate.You need to blend their food if they have a hard palate cleft.You can either feed them by hand or by tube.