Synonyms

Palatoschisis, cleft palate

Name of the disease in English

Cleft palate

The disease in brief

Cleft palate is a congenital anomaly characterized by a communication of the nasal passages with the oral cavity. Calves affected by this anomaly slurp, and often have milk coming out of the nose. Depending on the width of the communication, symptoms may go unnoticed for weeks. These calves have an increased risk of pneumonia due to false swallowing. Cleft palate may be associated with arthrogryposis ("arthrogryposis-palatoschisis syndrome"). Its origin may be a congenital infection, for example by BVDV, or the consumption of toxic plants, such as lupin, by the mother. 

Clinic & diagnosis

Milk coming out of the nose, or frothy or food-containing discharge, or a putrefactive smell in the exhaled air, all these signs should lead one to suspect a cleft palate, even if the calf is a few months old. It is therefore necessary to open the mouth and inspect the palate.

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

– Inflammatory rhinitis of viral origin RS14

– Stomatitis due to foreign body or burn by caustic or stinging agent DG16

Confirm a suspicion?

Open the mouth and inspect the palate. Do a BVDV search and ask about the presence of lupin in the pastures.

Prognosis and treatment

It is the functional disorders that determine the prognosis. If the cleft is wide, the difficulty in suckling can compromise any economic future. Other calves that are not very affected, however, may reach adulthood.

Prevention

If BVDV, eradication in livestock; avoid consumption of lupins by pregnant cows.

References

-Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 87

Memo written by G Argenté, DVM, Y. Millemann, Professor at ENV d'Alfort-2019