Life On White / Getty Images
When you think of plastic surgery, it usually conjures up pictures of augmented breasts, facelifts, tummy tucks, and liposuction. Right? Plastic surgery also includes reconstructive procedures, such as breast reconstruction after mastectomy, reconstruction after trauma, and cleft lip and cleft palate surgery among many other procedures
And when you think of plastic surgery, you usually think of procedures being done on women, men, and children. But how about on dogs?
Now I'm not speaking in euphemisms here...you know that ex-boyfriend that you may consider to be "a dog" or that friend whose antics have won him the title of being "such a dog." I'm talking about "man's best friend," "Fido," "Spot," "Lassie," "Rover," ...you get the picture.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Gordon Wilkes of Edmonton, Canada and Dr. Amy Miller, a veterinarian, will collaborate to repair a cleft palate on a four-week-old Bernese mountain dog named Keepsake. Dr. Wilkes read about Keepsake in a local newspaper and called Dr. Miller to see if he could be of any help. He is one of only two surgeons in his area who repairs cleft lips and cleft palates.
In humans, a cleft (hole) in the palate makes it difficult speak, eat, and drink. Keepsake's owners noticed she was having trouble nursing when she was two-days-old. They took the puppy to their veterinarian who made the discovery of the cleft palate. The puppy has had to have special feeding with a tube since that time.
A successful surgery closes the palate, separating the nasal cavity from the oral cavity. This separation of the two areas allows eating without food contents entering the nose through the opening in the palate.
Keepsake's surgery will take place within the next few days. I'll let you know of any updates!
All that is understandable but did the poor pooch also have a “hair” lip? And, if so, would that be subject to a cosmetic repair?
The pooch had a cleft palate, not a cleft lip. I suppose a dog with a cleft lip only could have a repair. The issue with Keepsake is that she was having trouble eating, so it was a functional issue, not necessarily an aesthetic issue.
As I promised, an update on Keepsake. Keepsake’s surgery went well! If you’re interested, read here.