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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Clinical characteristics of horses and foals diagnosed with ...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2015; 56(7); 756-760;

Clinical characteristics of horses and foals diagnosed with cleft palate in a referral population: 28 cases (1988-2011).

Abstract: The objective of this case series was to characterize the population, case presentations, and outcomes of 28 equids diagnosed with cleft palate over a 25-year period. The incidence of cleft palate was 0.04%. The median age at presentation was 2 mo (range: 1 d to 3 y). Fifty percent of the animals were < 2 mo old, 21% were ≥ 2 mo but < 1 y old, and 29% were 1 y of age or older. Males and females were nearly equally represented. Short-term outcomes included euthanasia in 50%, surgical repair in 11%, supportive care in 4%, and no treatment in 32% of cases; 46% of the animals survived to discharge. Defects involving both the hard and soft palate and/or aspiration pneumonia generally had less favorable outcomes. Though cleft palate is rare in horses, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses of all ages with nasal discharge, a cough, a history of recurrent respiratory infections, poor growth, or chronic submandibular lymphadenopathy. Endoscopic evaluation of the pharynx may aid in earlier diagnosis and prognostication for owners. L’objectif de cette série de cas était de caractériser la population, la présentation des cas et les résultats de 28 équidés diagnostiqués avec une fente palatine sur une période de 25 ans. L’incidence de la fente palatine était de 0,04 %. L’âge moyen à la présentation était de 2 mois (plage : 1 jour à 3 ans). Cinquante pour cent des animaux étaient âgés de < 2 mois, 21 % étaient âgés de ≥ 2 mois mais avaient < 1 an et 29 % avaient 1 an ou plus. Les mâles et les femelles affichaient une représentation pratiquement égale. Les résultats à court terme incluaient l’euthanasie dans 50 % des cas, la réparation chirurgicale dans 11 % des cas, des soins de soutien dans 4 % des cas et aucun traitement dans 32 % des cas; 46 % des animaux ont survécu au congé. Les défauts du palais dur et mou et/ou de la pneumonie par aspiration affichaient généralement des résultats moins favorables. Même si la fente palatine est rare chez les chevaux, elle devrait être considérée comme un diagnostic différentiel chez les chevaux de tous les âges avec un écoulement nasal, une toux, une anamnèse d’infections respiratoires récurrentes, une mauvaise croissance ou une lymphadénopathie sous-mandibulaire chronique. Une évaluation endoscopique du pharynx peut faciliter le diagnostic et la pronostication anticipés pour les propriétaires.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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Publication Date: 2015-07-02 PubMed ID: 26130841PubMed Central: PMC4466833
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Summary

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This research presents findings on the characteristics and outcomes of cleft palate in horses, based on a review of 28 cases over 25 years. Findings include a low incidence of cleft palate, diverse age distribution at presentation, similar male and female representation, and varying treatment outcomes.

Study Design and Population

  • The study is a retrospective case series aimed at understanding the characteristics of 28 equids (horses, ponies, and other related animals) diagnosed with cleft palate over a quarter-century period.
  • The incidence of cleft palate among the studied animals was found to be quite low, only 0.04%.

Age and Gender Distribution

  • The median age at which the animals presented the condition was 2 months, although the range extended from 1 day to 3 years. The distribution included 50% of animals less than 2 months old, 21% between 2 months and 1 year old, and the remaining 29% were aged 1 year or older.
  • Both genders were almost equally represented in the studied population, signifying that cleft palate occurrence is not gender-biased in these animals.

Treatment Outcomes

  • The outcomes varied among the animals. Around 50% were euthanized, 11% underwent surgical repair, 4% received supportive care, and 32% of the cases had no treatment. Nearly half of the animals (46%) survived to discharge.
  • Cases where defect involved both the hard and soft palate or cases where the cleft palate had led to aspiration pneumonia had less favorable outcomes compared to other cases.

Implications of the Findings

  • Although cleft palate is rare in horses, the researchers suggest it should be considered as a possible diagnosis in horses displaying certain symptoms. These symptoms include nasal discharge, a cough, a history of recurrent respiratory infections, poor growth, or chronic submandibular lymphadenopathy.
  • An endoscopic evaluation of the pharynx can help with early diagnosis and prognostication for the owners of the animals, aiding in informed decision-making for their animal’s health care.

Cite This Article

APA
Shaw SD, Norman TE, Arnold CE, Coleman MC. (2015). Clinical characteristics of horses and foals diagnosed with cleft palate in a referral population: 28 cases (1988-2011). Can Vet J, 56(7), 756-760.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 7
Pages: 756-760

Researcher Affiliations

Shaw, Sarah D
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 4475 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
Norman, Tracy E
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 4475 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
Arnold, Carolyn E
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 4475 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.
Coleman, Michelle C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 4475 TAMU, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cleft Palate / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses
  • Male

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
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  2. Sananmuang T, Mankong K, Jeeratanyasakul P, Chokeshai-Usaha K, Ponglowhapan S. Prenatal diagnosis of foetal hydrocephalus and suspected X-linked recessive inheritance of cleft lip in a Chihuahua. J Vet Med Sci 2020 Feb 18;82(2):212-216.
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