The use of a prosthetic appliance to manage a large palatal defect in a dog

Large defects of the hard palate can result from a congenital abnormality, trauma, or surgical treatment of oral masses. Closure of these defects can be challenging as dehiscence is common. Large, inoperable hard palate defects may be managed with prosthetic obturators, which recreate the separation between the oral and nasal cavities. This report describes the use of a palatal obturator to manage a large palatal defect that persisted after resection of a palatal fibrosarcoma. Three prior attempts at surgical closure of the defect had failed.