Management of cleft palate in a kid

A day old kid was presented with a complaint of milk coming out through the nostrils while suckling. Examination of oral cavity revealed a cleft on the roof of the oral cavity extending the entire length of hard palate and soft palate. Physiological parameters were within the normal range except for respiratory distress. Auscultation of lung area revealed inspiratory and expiratory rales. Under sedation with diazepam 20 mg given intravenously, the kid was controlled in dorsal recumbency with extended head and neck. The mouth was kept open with the help of a speculum. The edges of the cleft was trimmed and apposed in simple interrupted fashion using braided silk No. 2/0. Pharyngostomy was performed to facilitate feeding of the animal so that the suture line is not disturbed. A Ryles’ tube was passed into the pharynx and then to stomach and maintained for two weeks The animal showed complete recovery.