Update on The Pups Crops:

MandysBlackRoses · 04-17-2007, 05:55 PM

Hey Guys!

I have been through Hell the last week as some of you know. The puppies were back at the vets again (third time now) over the weekend. They came home late Monday. I was unable to pick them up myself due to the storm. So hubby went to get them and was going to relay info to me. He got there and asked The Vet to show him how to tape the ears. The Vet said he did'nt tape ears, that he used the plastic crown thing right up until they stood. My husband did'nt know what to say so he brought them home.

First thing I noticed is the crowns were still on. And that glue was all over thier heads and ears. The scabs were about 90% healed except for the tips. Next thing I noticed is that they had Vet Wrap on thier leg. (IV site) And I did'nt really know why. My husband said that one had come down with an infected ear, and they had both been given anti-biotics. And the infection was cleared up. The Vet sent more tranqulizers home and said we could double on the dose if needed, as we reported they were not working as well. Well within 15 mins of being home, they had gotten the crowns off one ear, so I removed them as carefully as I could.

Thier ears have horrible pockets which are making them tip in twords each other. I'm positive these pockets were made by the circle part of the crown thing pushing the bell out. Thier ears stood errect for a long time, over an hour. I cleaned them best I could. But every time I tried to remove this glue it would rip off all the hair and leave the skin looking horrible pink and swollen. I let the ears dry and be for another hour. At this time they started tipping twords each other. So, I went ahead and taped them with tampons as the instruction said. I used tape on the bottom, and one small piece holding the tip. I did'nt wrap the whole thing as I wanted some air to reach them. To help heal the rest of the tip, and to dry out the backs of thier poor, red, hairless ears. The posts/taping or whatever came out great, and have been in for 24 hours with no problems. No scrathing, or head shaking.

We are sappose to bring the puppies back Friday, But I don't really want to. Though I want him to check for infection. Also any Vet Stay due to this surgery was sappose to be free, and concidered INCLUDED in the anital price. The Vet told me this. The secretaries CHARGED my husband $120 for this last stay. This has to mentioned. He did'nt know what to do, so he paid tham anyway without mention of the arrangment. They puppies came home smelling like urine too. I can kinda understand, but it just further aggravated me. I know they gave them baths last time they were there. Also, my puppies went in the first time weighing 25lbs at 14 weeks. They are now almost 16 and weigh23 and 22lbs. They keep losing weight really quickly while they are there. I think this Vet is a meathead. Though everyone used him for cropping. He is one out of two Vets that do it here in Maine. The other has a bad history with losy jobs. Why would he not tape the ears? I don't think the crown fit them right, and why did'nt he notice the pockets too? I feel like I ought to tell him off But I really need him right now.

Anyway. I am going to post some pictures here tonight of them with their ears taped. Thanks for letting me vent!

alwayshadpets · 04-17-2007, 06:09 PM

You poor thing. Can anyone else help you post? Perhaps a DPCA mentor in your area.
Also to remove the ashesive. I used Uni-Solve. Worked great. Others on the board have used other things as well. I got mine from a pharmaceticul supply store. They rent wheel chairs, walkers, all kinds of bandages. you probably have something like that close to you.
As far as the over-charge ($) I would call and have them take it off your charge. You can tell them in a nice way what the agreement was even though you would like to tell them off.
Goo Luck and hang in there.

micdobe · 04-17-2007, 06:34 PM

In 30 years of having Dobermans I have never had to have one stay overnighit much less a weekend at the vets because of ear cropping. Mine were all cropped before I go them by breeders who sought out good croppers to insure that their puppies would have a good crop, and the breeder of my first Doberman puppy showed me how to tape his ears once they were healed. That puppy's ears were simply folded over the top of his head and taped together at the tips, which I really advise you to do with your puppies because it would be a lot simpler for you and easier on the puppies. None of my puppies ever had to wear an ecollar because of ear cropping either. It seems to me these puppies are going thru a lot with this procedure, which is unnecessary.

The ears can be glued to styrofoam cups or blocks of foam or simply taped across the top of the head until the edges are healed and the stitches are out. It doesn't seem to matter which of those methods is used. Then after the ears are healed the easiest way for both the owner and the puppy is to post them, there are various things to use for posting, tampons, caulking rod, even stiffened paper towels. All I've ever heard from people who used those wolf crown things is that they wouldn't stay on. And I can see in the pictures that yours don't seem to fit the puppies' heads.

**Luvbirds59** · 04-17-2007, 06:39 PM

Oh boy....I am so sorry with all you have been through. It should be all up hill from here on in. You have tons of time to get the posting down and right. Don't obsess over how they look week to week. Petey has the worst crop ever, and he is finally looking ok at 23 weeks. You will be an expert at it with in weeks and the girls will sit still and let you get it done. We use a less sticky tape against the ears and then cover it with the better waterproof tape, this way it doesn't pull so much hair off.

Carol ox

micdobe · 04-17-2007, 06:42 PM

I've never used waterproof tape on ears. In fact, one of the things the breeder of my first puppy emphasized to me was *not* to use waterproof tape, because it isn't good for the ears, doesn't let them "breathe", and damages them getting the tape off. I was told to use Johnsono&Johnson athletic tape, sometimes called Zonas tape, and that's what I've always used.

MandysBlackRoses · 04-17-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwayshadpets

You poor thing. Can anyone else help you post? Perhaps a DPCA mentor in your area.
Also to remove the ashesive. I used Uni-Solve. Worked great. Others on the board have used other things as well. I got mine from a pharmaceticul supply store. They rent wheel chairs, walkers, all kinds of bandages. you probably have something like that close to you.
As far as the over-charge ($) I would call and have them take it off your charge. You can tell them in a nice way what the agreement was even though you would like to tell them off.
Goo Luck and hang in there.

Thanks
The only person with DPCA I really know is still in NY or on her way home. She did say she would help when she got abck. I'm just waiting for her to email me. I did get some Uni Solve. I just hated putting any chemical on thier skin, it was sooo red.

MandysBlackRoses · 04-17-2007, 07:10 PM

Carol,

Hopfully it will get better here soon. How are peteys ears doing? Are you still taping?

Micdobe,

I agree the puppies have been through too much. I have never seen anyone have these problems I am having. I HATE the Wolf Rack crown thing. But, I figure the Vet knew what he was doing. ~sigh~ I did get some Zonas tape. Everything seeks ok now. Their ears are all healed pretty much. Just the backs look aweful now.

**Luvbirds59** · 04-17-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micdobe

I've never used waterproof tape on ears. In fact, one of the things the breeder of my first puppy emphasized to me was *not* to use waterproof tape, because it isn't good for the ears, doesn't let them "breathe", and damages them getting the tape off. I was told to use Johnsono&Johnson athletic tape, sometimes called Zonas tape, and that's what I've always used.

We put that over the other..so we can take him out in the rain and snow, I hike every day with Petey for 1.5 hours...no matter what the weather....I've been doing it for 3 months now. Thankfully....my taping days are almost over...Petey is 10 days away from 6 months old....and teething is almost done.....4 more teeth to go!!! I can't wait!

Carol ox

Okie-dobie · 04-17-2007, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandysBlackRoses

Thanks
The only person with DPCA I really know is still in NY or on her way home. She did say she would help when she got abck. I'm just waiting for her to email me. I did get some Uni Solve. I just hated putting any chemical on thier skin, it was sooo red.

Uni Solve is not harmful to the skin at all and contains no harsh chemicals. It's better than ripping the tape of their ears along with the hair. Put the Uni Solve on and under the tape, let it sit for 10 minutes or so and the tape will practically fall off. Once the tape is off you can then take a little more uni solve and take the excess glue off. I also used isopropanol alcohol on a gauze pad to take the excess off. If the ears are red it means they are irritated or worse infected. Personally I would just tape them over their heads for a few days until the irritation calms down. And if they were my pups I would stop giving them tranquilizers, they are just babies. If you are worried about pain put some of the polysporn with the pain med. on. Good luck and I hope they are feeling better soon!

MandysBlackRoses · 04-17-2007, 10:28 PM

Yup, I got nervous and checked thier ears. They looked bad enough so I took the tape off. Rayna has her ears taped over her head. Rowen are standing pretty good right now. Here is a picture of Rowen That I just took. I'll take some of Rayna when it's her turn out.

Rowen 15 weeks

Rowen again

Mom your Flash is bright!