Paralysis of the Soft Palate in a Horse

A paralyzed soft palate in a horse is a rare but serious issue and must be taken care of by a veterinarian immediately. The soft palate is a barrier between the nose and the mouth.

  1. Symptoms

    • If food and water runs out of your horse's nose during eating or drinking, it is a definite sign of a paralyzed soft palate since the palate is unable to form the barrier that is needed between the nose and the mouth. Another sign is if your horse makes a whistling sound.

    Effects

    • If the paralyzed soft palate is not treated, food and water will travel into your horse's lungs and cause pneumonia.

    Cause and Treatment

    • If your horse has a paralyzed soft palate, it could be the result of paralyzed vocal cords. Unfortunately, no drugs can be administered to your horse to solve the problem. Surgery is the only option. It can be treated with a partial resection of the soft palate.