Question on Ear Cropping Issues

Pammy1022 · 07-02-2008, 09:49 AM

How long should ears be tapped for in the very beginning when it's tighter around the ears? My vet just took off the tape and it was two full weeks and it was still taped to the ear, he had two big open wounds on the front of his ears (looks like tape rubbed against it). I was told he scratched at them and cut himself open. I don't know how possible that is because the one wound was really open and ugly looking.

The breeder had him to her vet 2x after the cropping for "re-wraps" but my vet said it didn't look to her that he was "re-wrapped" correctly.

He now wears a cone so he can't scratch the ears and no taping at all because of the infections! He is on antiobotics too.

What is normal? Do puppies get infections with the ear cropping?

DobeGirl07 · 07-02-2008, 10:23 AM

You mean to tell me that your breeder isn't wrapping ears herself/hisself??? Usually breeders are experienced enough to tape ears blind folded. I do not know how common it is for infections after cropping as my two have never had this problem. All I know is you should NEVER start taping the ears until they are completely healed after cropping.

Pammy1022 · 07-02-2008, 10:39 AM

I'm sorry but I'm confused now. His ears were tapped from what I saw or heard the vet saying to me. The wounds were right in front of his ears which the breeder told me he scratched himself open. But my vet now said she can't see how that could happen. ???

The vet I took him too locally I thought was going to actually yell at me or take him from me!

I had to explain that I just picked him up the day before and actually moved up my appt from Thursday this week to Monday because my husband and father-in-law didn't like the looks of his ears or the wounds........ but then the vets became nicer and started to help me with him.

He still has stitches in his ears, and his ears were tapped really tight with tampons in his ears ...... some of his hair came off his ears when they started cutting the tape off (which took two vets and one tech and myself).
He was good though through it all....... but it was just tight.

The stink that came out of his ears almost made me upchuck!

DobeGirl07 · 07-02-2008, 10:42 AM

His ears should NOT be taped with tampons until COMPLETEY healed, that is how infection starts. His ears apparently can't breathe so there comes your infection. The ears need to be able to breathe so they can heal properly.

How old is this puppy and can you post pictures?

DobeGirl07 · 07-02-2008, 10:46 AM

Here is what my puppy wore for about 2 weeks after cropping until his ears were completely healed.

Pammy1022 · 07-02-2008, 10:47 AM

He is 11 1/2 weeks old.

I just spoke to the vet that "re-wrapped" and they said they did it on the 28th, re-wrapped and didn't notice the wounds........ now how the heck could you miss the wounds???????

I will deal with it now and he is getting better, I am just confused as to why that vet who is used to cropping dobermans would re-wrap that tight or if at all with the wounds as they were.

Pammy1022 · 07-02-2008, 10:49 AM

Omigod - your puppy is built!!!! How old is he in that pic? My baby is skinny - but cute (he he).

No, his ears were completely covered....... nothing sticking out at all. My vet now said nothing was able to "breath" to heal.

**Burns** · 07-02-2008, 10:52 AM

DobeGirl is right, the ears should not be posted/taped up until the stitches are out and the edges are completely healed. If the wounds can't breathe and heal, so will wind up with an infection. It is good that his ears are down, he is receiving antibiotics, and he is wearing an Ecollar now so his ears can heal and he can't scratch at them.

I'm sorry to say this, but no knowledgeable/good breeder (or vet) would start posting a puppy's ears with tampons while it still had stitches in its ears, or if the edges weren't healed.

Poor puppy! Hope he feels better soon.

DobeGirl07 · 07-02-2008, 10:52 AM

He was 11 weeks in those pictures. Who cropped his ears? It doesn't sound like the vet knows what she/or is doing.

DobeGirl07 · 07-02-2008, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burns

DobeGirl is right, the ears should not be posted/taped up until the stitches are out and the edges are completely healed. If the wounds can't breathe and heal, so will wind up with an infection. It is good that his ears are down, he is receiving antibiotics, and he is wearing an Ecollar now so his ears can heal and he can't scratch at them.

I'm sorry to say this, but no knowledgeable/good breeder (or vet) would start posting a puppy's ears with tampons while it still had stitches in its ears, or if the edges weren't healed.

Poor puppy! Hope he feels better soon.

I agree with this!