Palate surgery Before surgery: Milk/food entering the nose ← aspiration pneumonia Difficulty nursing and eating/drinking Poor weight gain and failure to thrive Chronic nasal discharge, sneezing, infections Increased risk of premature death, especially in young kittens ✅ After reconstructive surgery Normal eating and drinking without nasal reflux Prevention of aspiration pneumonia Improved growth and weight gain Reduced respiratory and nasal infections Improved quality of life and increased survival chances