Sweet Liberty’s Fan Club ❤️🤍💙

Sweet boy Liberty "Lib" was welcomed into this world on July 4th 2023 weighing 18.5ounces! His momma is Nala and daddy is Hank. He was born with a Cleft lip but was soo healthy otherwise! I have been caring for him around the clock and he is thriving! He is such a strong boy! Welcome and Thank you for following Lib's story!

More info on clefts below ❤️

What is Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate?

Cleft lip with and without cleft palate is a condition of embryonic development. Animals are bilateral animals: we have two eyes, two ears, etc. that center around a midline. The mouth, though there is just one, is symmetrical and is formed by two planes of tissues that grow towards and fuse at our mildline. Cleft palate occurs when the fusion of the roof of the mouth is incomplete; cleft lip occurs when just the fusion of the upper lip is incomplete.

Puppies that have cleft palate can have difficulty eating and may present for weight loss. They are also more likely to accidentally aspirate food and are often noted to have persistent coughing and a runny nose due to respiratory infections; in severe cases this can progress to pneumonia.

This mutation was first described in the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

This mutation has an autosomal recessive inheritance, meaning that dogs must have two copies of the mutation in order to show clinical signs. Many causes of cleft lip and cleft palate do not have a known genetic cause at this time. Both Nala & Hank are completely clear of this.

How is this condition treated?

Cleft lip without cleft palate is a relatively cosmetic condition that can be corrected surgically if desired. Cleft palate can often be surgically repaired.