Congenital Cleft Lip, Jaw, and Palate in Cats (Cleft Lip, Jaw, and Palate, LCP)

  • Occurrence: very rare
  • Location of disease: Head/Neck
Author: Dr. med. vet. Gisa Löwe | Last modified: 03.09.2026
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When to visit the vet?

Non-urgent see a veterinarian within 2–3 days

?

If the condition worsens / symptoms persist, consult a veterinarian.

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Definition

Cleft lip, jaw, palate (LCP), colloquially known as harelip, is a congenital malformation in cats characterized by incomplete fusion of the lips, palate, or both. This malformation can occur in isolation or in combination and affects the appearance and function of the mouth and nose area.

The most important facts at a glance

Cleft lip, jaw, and palate (LCP) in cats occurs during embryonic development when the tissues forming the lips and palate do not fuse correctly. This malformation can be genetic, as certain breeds show a higher susceptibility. Genetic variations affecting facial development play an important role. Environmental factors such as medications, malnutrition, or toxic substances during pregnancy can also increase the risk. Symptoms include respiratory distress, difficulty eating, and growth disorders. Diagnosis is made through visual inspection immediately after birth and can be supplemented by X-rays. Surgical treatment is often necessary to close the cleft, with the operation frequently performed on older kittens whose tissue is more stable. Special nutritional support is important before surgery. After surgery, intensive follow-up care and regular check-ups with the veterinarian are crucial. The prognosis depends on the severity of the malformation and the success of the treatment. Prevention includes a balanced diet for the mother cat during pregnancy, a low-stress environment, and the avoidance of harmful substances. Regular veterinary examinations help to identify problems early. Selecting healthy parent animals can reduce the risk of genetic anomalies.

Causes

The cleft lip and palate malformation occurs during embryonic development. Normally, the tissues that form the lips and palate merge at an early stage of pregnancy. If this process is disrupted, it leads to the formation of a cleft. This can be limited to the lips, jaw, or palate, or affect a combination of these areas.

Genetic factors play a significant role in the development of cleft lip and palate. Certain breeds may have an increased predisposition to this malformation, suggesting that genetic predispositions play a central role. Mutations or genetic variations in specific genes responsible for facial development have been identified in some studies.

Environmental factors during pregnancy can also increase the risk for the development of LCP. These include certain medications, malnutrition, or toxic substances that the mother is exposed to during pregnancy. These factors can disrupt normal embryonic development and thus impair the fusion of facial components.

Symptoms

Rare symptoms:

The symptoms of an LCP malformation vary depending on the severity and structures affected. In mild forms, only a small indentation in the upper lip may be visible, while more severe forms may have a distinct cleft in the palate.

Cats with an LCP malformation may have problems sucking and eating because they have difficulty creating a vacuum in their mouths. This can lead to malnutrition and growth disorders. The risk of aspiration and associated respiratory infections is also increased, as food or liquid can enter the nasal cavity or lungs.

In some cases, the presence of a cleft palate can lead to chronic nasal inflammation or recurrent respiratory infections, as the structural barrier between the oral and nasal cavities is compromised.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a cleft lip and palate malformation is usually made through a thorough clinical examination of the kitten after birth. The veterinarian can visually inspect the lip and palate structures to determine the presence and severity of the clefts. Early diagnosis is crucial to immediately address potential nutritional problems.

In some cases, further diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays or endoscopic examinations, may be necessary to assess the extent of the cleft and its effects on the nasal cavity or airways.

In the diagnosis, it is also important to rule out other congenital anomalies that may be associated with a cleft lip and palate malformation. A comprehensive medical history and an examination of the family medical history can also be helpful in identifying genetic causes.

Therapy

Treatment of LCP malformation in cats often requires surgical intervention to close the cleft and restore normal function of the mouth and nasal cavity. The timing of the surgery may vary, but it is often performed when the kitten is older and the tissue structures are more stable.

Prior to surgery, careful nutritional support is crucial to ensure the kitten receives adequate nutrition. In some cases, it may be necessary to use special feeding techniques or devices to facilitate food intake and minimize the risk of aspiration.

After the surgery, intensive aftercare is necessary to monitor healing and reduce the risk of complications. This includes regular check-ups with the veterinarian and possibly physical therapy to restore normal function.

Prognosis and follow-up care

The prognosis for cats with a cleft lip and palate malformation depends heavily on the severity of the malformation and the success of surgical correction. With timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the prognosis can be good, and many cats can live a normal and healthy life.

However, in severe forms of the malformation or with inadequate treatment, there is an increased risk of long-term complications, including chronic respiratory problems and growth disorders. Careful medical care and aftercare are crucial to achieving the best results.

Prevention

To minimize the risk of cleft lip, jaw, and palate in cats, attention should be paid to a balanced and nutritious diet for the mother cat during pregnancy. An adequate supply of vitamins and minerals, especially folic acid, is crucial, as deficiencies in these areas can increase the risk of malformations. However, supplements should only be administered in consultation with a veterinarian.

Avoiding stress and environmental stress during pregnancy can also play a role. Stress can be reduced by providing a calm, safe environment and avoiding excessive changes in the habitat of the pregnant cat. In addition, potentially harmful substances such as certain medications, chemicals, and smoking should be avoided in the vicinity of the cat.

Regular veterinary examinations during pregnancy are important to monitor the health of the mother cat and to identify potential problems early. This allows for timely adjustments to care and nutrition to reduce the risk of malformations.

Finally, selecting healthy parent animals for breeding can reduce the risk of genetic anomalies, including cleft lip, jaw, and palate. Responsible breeding practices help to reduce the likelihood of such diseases in future generations.

Outlook on current research

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Cleft lip, jaw, and palates in cats are congenital craniofacial malformations that, depending on their extent, can lead to weak sucking, nasal discharge, dysphagia, and aspiration pneumonia. The most important research focus currently lies on early detection in the neonatal period, better classification of the defect, and more precise surgical planning, as feline evidence continues to consist predominantly of case reports and small series. Genetic, teratogenic, and nutritional factors continue to be considered the most important cause complexes; furthermore, the disease is described as rare in cats overall, but more frequent in Siamese cats.

In the coming years, progress is particularly expected in surgical techniques and perioperative management. Current reference sources recommend initially providing intensive care for affected kittens—primarily through tube feeding, aspiration prophylaxis, and close monitoring—and planning definitive closure usually only from about 12 weeks; in some cases, an even later intervention with a higher probability of success is discussed. The fact that surgical planning needs further refinement is shown by a kitten-specific case report published in 2022: there, surgical correction led to good clinical function despite small oronasal fistulas remaining; at the same time, the bony defect increased over time, which is relevant for future interventions and follow-up controls.

The realistic research outlook is therefore clear: the greatest progress in the short term is to be expected in standardized neonatal protocols, CT-supported defect assessment, improved flap plastics, and above all in the genetic processing of familial and breed-associated cases. For feline medicine, large multicenter registries have been lacking so far, so questions regarding the optimal timing of surgery, long-term function, risk of recurrence or fistula, and breeding advice have not yet been sufficiently answered. From today’s perspective, a single technical breakthrough is likely to be less decisive than better integration of neonatology, surgery, imaging, and breeding medicine. Affected animals should continue to be excluded from breeding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a cleft lip, jaw, and palate in cats?
A cleft lip, jaw, and palate is a congenital malformation in which the lip, jaw, and/or palate do not fully grow together. The opening connects the oral and nasal cavities.
2. How common is this malformation?
LCP clefts are rarer in cats than in dogs. Certain brachycephalic breeds, such as Persians, seem to be affected more frequently.
3. What are the possible causes?
Genetic factors play a role. Environmental factors such as glucocorticoids during pregnancy and nutritional deficiencies (folic acid) can also contribute.
4. What symptoms do affected kittens show?
Affected newborns cannot suckle properly, milk comes out of the nose, coughing, gagging, risk of aspiration, poor weight gain, and frequent respiratory infections.
5. How is the diagnosis made?
Clinical diagnosis by inspection of the oral cavity immediately after birth. Cleft palates can be better inspected under sedation.
6. How is a cleft lip, jaw, and palate treated?
Surgical closure under anesthesia from the age of 8–12 weeks. Until then, kittens must be fed with a tube or pipette.
7. Can affected kittens survive?
Yes, with intensive care (tube feeding) and subsequent surgical closure, many kittens can survive and develop normally.
8. What are typical complications?
Aspiration pneumonia is the most common life-threatening complication. Malnutrition, slow growth, and dental development disorders can occur.
9. Is surgical closure always successful?
Surgical closure is technically challenging and not always completely successful. Multiple operations may be necessary.
10. Should affected animals be bred?
Due to possible genetic causes, it is recommended not to use affected animals or their parents for breeding.

Literature

Verstraete, Frank J. M.; Lommer, Milinda J. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Dogs and Cats. 2nd edition, Saunders, 2020.
Hoskins, Johnny D. Veterinary Pediatrics: Dogs and Cats from Birth to Six Months. 3rd edition, Saunders, 2001.
Tutt, Christopher. Small Animal Pediatrics: The First 12 Months of Life. 1st edition, Saunders, 2010.
Tobias, Karen M.; Johnston, Spencer A. Veterinary Surgery: Small Animal. 2nd edition, Elsevier, 2017.