Purebred dogs and cats have a higher incidence of cleft palate, and brachycephalic breeds, with their short stubby faces, are most commonly affected (Figure 1). Cleft palates may occur more commonly in Boston terriers, Pekingese, bulldogs, miniature schnauzers, beagles, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, and Siamese cats. Although genetics is considered the main cause of this problem, nutritional deficiencies, viruses, and poisons that affect the mother during pregnancy may also increase the risk of cleft palates.
Cause
There are several possible causes for congenital cleft palate:
a) Genetic cause
An hereditary basis for the disease is suspected for congenital clefts but the mechanism has not yet been determined. Any such genetic trait is thought to be multifactorial recessive, polygenic and dominant with partial penetration.
b) Excess vitamin A intake during pregnancy
In 1967 Wiersig and Swenson reported that 125,000 IU of Vitamin A per kilogram body weight given to Beagle bitches on days 17-22 of gestation resulted in cleft palate developing in their puppies.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for normal growth and defects in bone growth are seen with insufficient as well as excessive dietary intake. Vitamin A has a controlling influence over both the osteoblasts and osteoclasts in epithelial cartilage and so there is a rational explanation as to why excessive vitamin A intake might result in cleft palate.
In addition, commercially prepared complete pet foods contain more than sufficient available vitamin A yet breeders and owners frequently supplement their pet's ration with vitamin supplements. High vitamin A content is also a feature of many natural food sources including liver and fish oils. Cod liver oil is a very popular nutritional supplement with pet owners and it contains 18000mg per 100ml (4000 IU per gram). Some vitamin injections contain as much as 500,000 IU of vitamin A per ml.
c) Cortisone
Administration of cortisone during pregnancy can lead to the development of cleft palate in the fetus
d) Hydroxyurea
Administration of the cytotoxic drug hydroxyurea (hydroxycarbamide) is reported to cause cleft palate.
Acquired cleft palate is common following falls from a height, and less commonly following road traffic accidents.
Breed Occurrence
The following breeds of dog have been reported to have cleft palates : mixed and small terrier breeds, Beagle, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boston Terrier, Bullmastiff, Bull Terrier, Chihuahua, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Dachshund, English Bulldog, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Miniature Schnauzer, Norwegian Elkhound, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Toy Poodle Wire-haired Fox Terrier,
Brachycephalic breeds are reported to have about 30% risk, whereas German Shepherd Dogs have the lowest risk.
How is ... inherited?:
Cleft palate is believed to be an autosomal recessive trait in the Brittany spaniel. In the English and
French bulldog, pointer, and shih tzu, the trait may be
autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance.
Er is genoeg over dit probleem binnen bepaalde rassen te vinden. En je kunt teven die wel eens pups krijgen met een gespleten verhemelte binnen deze rassen niet uit je genenpoel knikkeren om de doodsimpele reden dat het hele ras ermee behept is, de vererving in z'n geheel niet zo simpel is en als je op die manier gaat selecteren: creëer je heel snel je eigen genetic bottleneck en kun je je ras opdoeken.
Maar goed, als ik dit zo lees Chantal? Dan gaf ik voor de zekerheid een hele lage dosering natuurlijk foliumzuur preparaat. Want je zit qua dierenwelzijn gewoon niet te wachten op pups met een gespleten verhemelte. Je kunt dat tegenwoordig wel laten repareren hoor, maar de meeste pups worden direct ingeslapen, direct na de geboorte.
Dit is bijv. zo'n natuurlijk preparaat:
https://www.essentialorganics.nl/produc ... oliumzuur/. En ik denk dat je qua dosering aan de benedengrens moet gaan zitten qua wat ze adviseren.