Photos of 1st Tape Removal

cookie725 · 06-03-2008, 09:18 AM

We took the 1st taping off of Vito's ears last night...
He handled it really well while we were removing the tape, but as soon as it was off, he freaked out a little. I don't know if if was just sensitive, or it was the noise -- but it made me want to cry!!!
The ears stood for about 10 minutes, then they flopped over -- but they'd only been taped for a few days, so I'm guessing that's normal?!
Here are the pics for you guys (sorry, I know I overload on the pics)!!!

What they will look like standing. Or at least one

He was a little upset and just wanted to cuddle:

Is it me, or does he always look so sad & pitiful in his pics?

**velmadobe** · 06-03-2008, 09:21 AM

They often don't know what to make of their ears when they flop around as they are used to them being stiff - this gets better with time.

Just don't leave them down when they flop - clean the ear out, let it dry, and put them right back up.

RedDobieCHAMP · 06-03-2008, 09:24 AM

Ya Champ sprints to the yard and immediatly starts rolling over and over and over trying to make sense of ears with no tape.

cookie725 · 06-03-2008, 11:29 AM

Haha. They are too cute. I felt so bad though -- he kept shaking his head! I finally just held him in my lap for a few minutes and he calmed down. Then, everything was fine!
After he realized that everything was okay, he was almost over-excited to have his ears out! He immediately wanted to go outside and romp around in the yard!

**Burns** · 06-03-2008, 12:02 PM

I agree with velmadobe, make sure you post them right back up after cleaning and air drying - about an hour at most.

Very cute pics

zeus and me · 06-03-2008, 12:08 PM

please remember NOT to let the ears stay down for any amout of time! untape-clean-let dry=retape. the better you are at keeping them up the better they will stand.dont let them stay down over night.... I retape in the morning....I clean and dry and if I have been tapeing for over a month I watch before I retape.....for signs of wilt....or god forbid a compleate drop! I start letting a pup go untaped untill I see wilt or night time. and then tape before bed and leave it alone for 3-4 days.......then try again. if I get just a tiny bit of wilt I retape. or now I am useing the breathe right strips. but your pups ears are shorter then mine....so should stand sooner if you keep on them......TAPE! TAPE! and retape! keep them up! letting them stay flopped for any amount or time can undo a weeks worth of tapeing

gracieface · 06-03-2008, 12:10 PM

did you use anything to help remove the tape? I use adhasive remover I buy at the medical supply, makes taking the tape off easier. My pups do a little victory run around when the tape comes off, like "freedom!"

cookie725 · 06-03-2008, 01:02 PM

I'm so glad I have you guys to ask questions. The vet told me to untape the ears, leave them down overnight -- and he goes back to the vet today for the re-tape. I think, I'm done with the vet doing it! From now on, I will tape the ears.
As for removing the tape -- he taped the whole ear and folded the tape ends on themselves -- so taking it off was easy, I didn't need to use anything. However, I think I'll invest in some adhesive remover and tape and do Vito's ears. I'm a bit upset that the vet would want me to leave the ears down a whole day -- when clearly, they shouldn't be!

zeus and me · 06-03-2008, 01:21 PM

wow! I have never had anyone tell me to let them stay down overnight..... night time is important because if the pup sleeps with the ear folded it takes awhile to get it going back up. I imagine your pups ears are still raw though.....I didnt have to do that with this pup as his ears where done by my breeder and healed well before I got him. she was just telling me yesterday that she covers the entire ear now. she said the edges heal nicer. I dont know much about that.....so I am glad she did it and not me ha! but she said she did half the litter open taped and have covered. the covered ears had a nicer edge. I remember years ago with my others getting the raw ears up was a bit tough not getting too much tape on the raw edges. but that was like 20+ years ago so my knowhow is outdated.my breeder said she used the styrofoam float tubes to make the hat.

ok I am rambleing about nothing lol! my pups ears have been free standing for 5 days now!!! woooooooowhooooooooo!

cookie725 · 06-03-2008, 02:27 PM

Congrats on you pup's ears standing! Vito is jealous!!!

I guess I thought the vet would know what's best for Vito's ears, but after talking with everyone on here -- I don't think he does. Thanks again for everyone's help!

Cross your fingers for me as I am going to attempt the ear taping myself this evening.