Crumble's Cleft Palate Surgery

Hi, my name is Liane and I am a Registered Veterinary Nurse. 

Back in June '23 I took on a 10 day old Labrador puppy with a cleft palate, "Crumble". 

A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth, allowing food and water into the nasal cavity / respiratory tract which can be very dangerous and even fatal.

He was half the size of his litter mates because he was unable to suckle from his mother or even a bottle. 

The options were to euthanise Crumble or try and save him with intensive hand rearing and nursing care. He required feeding via a tube which I placed down his oesophagus and into his stomach every 2 hours until he was weaned at 5 weeks old. Now he is almost 7 months old and managing well to eat on his own but with some complications. He gets food caught in his cleft which is understandably uncomfortable and can cause infections. He has regular sneezing fits which interferes with his playtime and socialisation as it is much worse when he becomes excited. He is also at risk of developing aspiration pneumonia which can be fatal! He has daily pain relief medication to help reduce any inflammation and discomfort. 

Sadly, although Crumble IS insured, anything relating to his cleft palate is NOT covered due to it being a pre existing condition (it's a genetic defect he was born with). 

He needs to go to a maxillo facial / dental specialist veterinary surgeon for his cleft palate repair so I have chosen Dick White Referral Hospital in Newmarket for his surgery. 

He is provisionally booked in for the 15th January, so not long to raise some funds

They have advised he needs a bone graft and the cost has been estimated at £3500-4000. 

Any donation at all is so very much appreciated by myself, Crumble and all his family and friends that love him so dearly. He really is a special boy who makes an impression on everyone he meets. 

I'm doing all I can to work extra day and night shifts in the Emergency and Critical Care practices alongside keeping my own business running. 

Please help me to help him ♥ 

Thank you all  

From 

Liane, Crumble, and all his friends and family 

xxx

P.S please share far and wide.