Use of palatal prosthesis to correct an acquired palatal cleft in a cat: a case report

Abstract

Palatal malformations rarely occur in small animals. Palatal clefts can affect the upper lip, hard palate, and soft palate, and may be congenital or acquired in origin. The most common acquired forms result from the excision of oral neoplasia, teeth extraction, perforating lesions, automobile accidents, and electric accidents. Clinical signs of a fissured palate are sneezing, purulent nasal discharge, salivary secretion in nasal discharge, difficulty feeding and drinking, and pneumonia due to aspiration, which are the most severe alterations and can lead to death. The treatment of palatal clefts consists of occlusion of the oronasal communication, which can be performed using mucoperiosteal grafts, pedicled flaps, or palatal obturators. Herein, we report a case of an acquired palatal cleft treated with a palatal obturator in a feline patient who bit a high-tension wire. Two attempts of surgical correction had been unsuccessful, resulting in suture dehiscence and perpetuation of the oronasal fistula. After fixation of the obturator, the animal showed remission of all clinical signs. The animal has survived for over one year with improved quality of life.