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My Staffordshire Bull Terrier has had 5 pups on Easter Sunday. The only boy is the runt of the litter and has got a heir lip on one side but no sign of cleft palet. They were all checked by the vet who said there was no cleft palet and his heir lip could be resolved with a small operation.

At what age would the operation usually be done and what sort of cost could I be looking at? Also, I have heard that there could be a chance that cleft palet could still develope in the upcoming weeks. Is this likely and what are then time scales? Could he have other problems later in life?

Also he is smallest weighing only 300grams and has not gained any wieght in the first 48 hours whereas the girls all have gained and are all approx 450-500grams now. He struggles to stay put when feeding as he gets knocked away by the larger pups. He is suckling but struggles to stay latched on. I have started giving him puppy milk inbeween feeds from mum, to try to build up his strength.

Please help!

Submitted: 221 days and 1 hours ago.

Category: Dog

Value: $9

Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

Hello, I am sorry to hear that you have a baby with a heir lip. The heir lip may be causing him to have an issue with being able to suckle properly. Some vets are able to place a small stitch or two in the lip right now so that they can grasp the nipple better with their lips and get a better suckle down with them. You may want to talk to your vet about doing that now. Most of the time they do it with out any type of sedation (which I know sounds cruel but really the only thing to do). If you wait to have ti done, depending on how large the gap is with the lip and where you are located in the country the cost to repair it will vary greatly. I would say you could be looking at anywhere form 100 dollars to 5 or 600 dollars to get it repair depending on how bad it is and what type of vet you are dealing with. As far as the cleft pallet. I have never heard of one developing later after birth as all the pups I have ever seen are all born with the condition and do not develop it later on. So,. I don;t think you have to worry about that one right now. As far as him gaining weight I would continue to supplement him or hold him to a nipple on mom while he nurses so that he does not her knockoff. You may want to consider tube feeding him so you know exactly how much he is getting though and that way the lip will not be an issue for him when it comes to suckling (unless you are able to get it repaired now). Good luck with your babies and if you need anything else be sure to let me know.

Accepts:
Expert:	Bully Breeder
Pos. Feedback:	99.8 %
Answered:	4/14/2009

Veterinary Assistant

10 years breeding, 6 years in Veterinary medicine, Lifetime of Dog ownership

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