Urgent — contact your vet today
Early treatment makes a big difference. Don't wait more than a day.
A gap in the roof of the mouth that lets milk escape through the nose.
- Category
- Cria (newborn) problems
- Urgency
- Urgent
Signs & symptoms
- Milk dripping from the nose while nursing
- Coughing, pneumonia
- Poor growth
Related symptom guides: Cria Not Nursing, Feed Coming from the Nose.
What causes it?
Congenital defect.
How vets diagnose it
Oral exam with a light.
Treatment
Surgery is difficult; many cases are euthanized on welfare grounds.
Do not wait to see if it improves. Camelids hide illness, and by the time signs are obvious the problem is often advanced. Call your veterinarian.
Prevention
- Avoid breeding parents that have produced affected crias
Background
Cleft lip is a medical condition where the upper lip has an opening from the perimeter of the mouth, that may extend into the nose. The opening may be on one side, both sides, or in the middle. Cleft palate is an associated condition where the palate has an opening into the nose. The term orofacial cleft refers to either condition or to both occurring together. These conditions can result in feeding problems, speech problems, hearing problems, and frequent ear infections. The condition may be associated with other disorders.From Wikipedia — “Cleft lip and cleft palate”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Frequently asked questions
What is cleft Palate in alpacas?
A gap in the roof of the mouth that lets milk escape through the nose.
What are the signs of cleft Palate?
Milk dripping from the nose while nursing, coughing, pneumonia and poor growth.
How do you prevent cleft Palate?
Avoid breeding parents that have produced affected crias.
Is cleft Palate an emergency?
Urgent — contact your vet today. Early treatment makes a big difference. Don't wait more than a day.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.