Cleft palate occurs when there is a malformation of the soft and sometimes hard palate where the left and right side fail to unite, and a cleft is formed. It affects only a small percentage of horses (about 0.1 - 0.2%). It is usually recognized shortly after birth when a foal starts nursing. The most common signs include milk coming out of both nostrils and coughing while nursing. Some foals that have smaller defects may not appear healthy and have recurring lung infections. Larger defects can be life-threatening due to the risk of aspiration pneumonia if the milk and feed material enter the lungs. Therefore, early detection and correction are important. If you suspect that your foal has this condition, you should contact your veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will most likely use endoscopy and X-rays to determine the condition and its severity. Surgery is needed to correct the condition.
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What can you tell me about a cleft palate in horses?
Last Updated: January 19, 2007
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