Cleft palate in guniea pigs

[SHELLP]

Hi does anyone know anything about this. my daughter has recently got a young pig and she has been sneezing when took her to the vet he gave her antibiotics but said she had cleft palate, he doesnt know if it is just the lip or the palate we have to go back wed but am worried it could b serious. She seems fine and is eating and growing x

[lankeela]

My worry would be that she could contract pneumonia if she had a cleft palate. As show grows it may become more difficult for her to eat and swallow, and the food/water may start to leak or dribble down her chin. With puppies they are usually put to sleep to prevent suffering, although occasionally they can be operated on if it is a mild affliction. I do hope it is not that, and she is ok.

[SHELLP]

Thanks as i said she is very lively and eating well he said if just lip he can put few stitches in what I cant understand is y he didnt check the full palate last week. She has 2 and this one is by far the liveliest of the 2 x

[SHELLP]

do u know if it common problem x

[lankeela]

Not common, but certainly not unknown in Guinea Pigs. It is the same condition in many animals, puppies in particular suffer from it. Most breeders would know what it was if a puppy was not eating properly. A vet should be able to recognise it straight away.