Management of a congenitally shortened soft palate in a dog

An 8-week-old puppy that was examined because of a nasal discharge was found to have a congenitally shortened soft palate. The palate was partially rebuilt with pharyngeal flaps constructed from the tonsillar crypts. The reconstructed soft palate extended approximately 40% of the distance between the caudal aspect of the hard palate and rostral tip of the epiglottis. During the first 18 months after surgery, the dog had 3 episodes of halitosis, sneezing, and mucopurulent nasal discharge but responded to antimicrobial treatment. The dog was fed dry dog food and drank water from an elevated bowl. Water would flow from the dog's nose if it drank water with its head lowered. Compensatory mechanisms likely play an important role in the outcome of animals with this condition.