Cleft Palate Kitten Rescue

[Siamic]

I apologize for formatting errors ahead of time as I am typing in my phone. This picture is prior to surgery last year. We rescued a kitten who ended up having a cleft palate that was identified when she was under anesthetic for a spay at about 6 months old. We had to send her up 200 miles north to get it fixed by a specialist at $900 which is a big percentage of our bank account at any time.

Decisions like that are really hard to make, but we never withhold care or euthanize for medical reasons if it is fixable. Besides, we focus on cats with special needs, but we try to budget for what we decide to take in. Unexpected issues are the worse. She had watery eyes, sneezing, coughing & lethargy.

Her name is Skye Blue. In addition to this surgery, she also had a broken pelvis in 3 spots. We did range of motion exercises for about six weeks. This was when she was 8 weeks, when we had no idea about her cleft palate. She had to be treated for ringworm, round worms, and hook worms too.

She had surgery back around December 1st and was put under anesthetic on December 15th again to check the area of repair. We found that it was mostly healed - see picture below where most of the suture material has since absorbed. So the vet said we could then switch back to dry food which we did over a series of days. She was sent home to her adopter since she was going cage crazy. Her activity went through the roof like it was before the surgery, and she is still active.

The problem is that her left eye has been continuously watering and she has started sneezing yet again. Doxycycline took care of it then it came back again 2 weeks later. Part of me wants to rationalize it as a herpes virus infection, the other part wonders if the cleft palate opened back up. The doctor not seem to think through our phone call that the eye would be related to a cleft palate.

The above picture was shortly after surgery. As and RVT at the cat rescue I have assess to most medications that I can use under the guidance of the vet. We are potentially going to hit it with azithromycin.

I am actually terrified to go 200 miles back to the specialist only to find that the hole opened back up and needs another surgery or more in-depth surgery. The below pictures show her squinty eye.

At that point we might have to make a decision to discontinue treatment as a small rescue we probably can’t take that kind of blow again for the same cat.

I do not know personally as this is my first cleft palate, if leaving it open would be a bad idea or if ending therapy at that point is more advised. The problem is regardless of how small or big you are, the astronomical price still has to be paid to the veterinarian to redo the surgery.

 

[FeebysOwner]

I am actually terrified to go 200 miles back to the specialist only to find that the hole opened back up and needs another surgery or more in-depth surgery. The below pictures show her squinty eye.

The problem is that her left eye has been continuously watering and she has started sneezing yet again. Doxycycline took care of it then it came back again 2 weeks later. Part of me wants to rationalize it as a herpes virus infection, the other part wonders if the cleft palate opened back up. The doctor not seem to think through our phone call that the eye would be related to a cleft palate.

I know nothing about the complexities of the business you are in, but felt compelled to respond, even if ignorantly (sorry). Was the doctor you spoke with on the phone the specialist that Skye Blue saw? If not, please contact the specialist directly. If yes, did you ask about the prospects for her if the hole has re-opened. Is it financially viable to have a local vet take a look and share the results with the specialist?

Personally speaking, if it is feasible, I would want to treat her as if this were a herpes flare up and go from there. Have you considered long term supplements and anti-virals that can help suppress herpes flare-ups?

 

[Siamic]

The doctor on the phone was the specialist. He did not seem to think that the hole would have reopened, but I cannot get the herpes flare (if that is what it is) to end. He is also the one who said that the eye would not be involved with a cleft palate. The bad thing is it is tough to get in contact with the specialist other than making an appointment, which is hard to do since we have limited staff, funds, and volunteers. I have been thinking about utilizing the vet we have locally to check, but it is $99 to have her put under to check. At that cost, I would probably go back up to the specialist and have everything done when she is under anesthetic once rather than multiple times. Personally, I am against the supplement l-lysine even though there are supporters.

 

[glittercat]

I haven't a clue either but wanted to say what a beautiful girl she is. She's stunning. That poor eye in the first pic though, poor little baby.

As you're a small rescue could you maybe do an appeal to try and raise funds for further treatment? Or a raffle or a bake sale or something? Or is that not an option? Sorry, I'm sure you've already considered that sort of thing just trying to think of things that might help.

 

[artiemom]

I have no experience with a cleft palate in cats.
I am only going from what I know about humans.
I think it would be highly unusual for a cleft palate to reopen.

In a human cleft, as I am fairy certain this applies to animals: the issue is with feeding. The food will get trapped in the sinuses, causing all types of severe infections, a lack of food being able to be absorbed, along with all the nutrients. Even if you did not feed food, there is still a definitive issue of severe infection, and failure to thrive. A ton of suffering.

I applaud you for rescuing this beautiful kitty. She is gorgeous, looking so sweet.

I would definitely; as FeebysOwner suggested, tear her as a herpes flare. Give her another chance. There could still be an underlying infection from the cleft palate, even blocking the tract to the sinus, as in drainage.

I would also contact the specialist, expressing your concerns, asking him for advice. I know they are very difficult to speak with, directly.

I think a GoFund would be great. As well as sharing on Facebook, for donations directly for this purpose.

(((Hugs))).
Good Luck.

 

[Siamic]

You won't believe this. She tested positive for feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus, feline bordetella, feline mycoplasma, and chlamydia. She is better now after 3 antibiotics. This cat has gone through so dang much. She is better now!

 

[FeebysOwner]

You won't believe this. She tested positive for feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus, feline bordetella, feline mycoplasma, and chlamydia. She is better now after 3 antibiotics. This cat has gone through so dang much. She is better now!

OMG! Thank you for letting us know. Bad news, and yet good news too.

 

[Jcatbird]

All that but look at the light in her. Her spirit is strong. Your choice to help this one is a good choice in my humble opinion.