Laser Cropping?

2895 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Mr.Poubelle, Sep 17, 2011

Cindylouwho

Discussion Starter · Sep 16, 2011

Hello all.. again.

Again, I'm asking questions before I even have my pup. Only 2 more days!

Anywho... My husband is bent on having her ears done. I am ok with natural ears. He's the 'breadwinner', so.. if he wants to pay to have her ears done.. so be it.

I have found a vet with 14 years experience doing laser surgery. Anyone have any experience with this type of crop? Supposedly, he's the best there is in my area..and, people from all over come to him to get there Dobie's ears done.

I'm all 'ears', so to speak!!

Reactions: 1

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Q734

· #2 · Sep 16, 2011

Cindylouwho said:
Hello all.. again.

Again, I'm asking questions before I even have my pup. Only 2 more days!

Anywho... My husband is bent on having her ears done. I am ok with natural ears. He's the 'breadwinner', so.. if he wants to pay to have her ears done.. so be it.

I have found a vet with 14 years experience doing laser surgery. Anyone have any experience with this type of crop? Supposedly, he's the best there is in my area..and, people from all over come to him to get there Dobie's ears done.

I'm all 'ears', so to speak!!

I thought there was a sticky for ear crop care but there are a handful of vets in the country who do a good job on crops and their names are well known in dog world and on this forum. No shortage of "good vet for crops" threads here.

I think it wise to seek out the best vets available for crops in the doberman community than what "gizmo" is used, sort of goes w/the territory.

Having said that you'll read time & again that well bred dobermans already have had their ears done before you get them because most American breeders of any repute don't let their dogs go out in the world without cropped ears.

Reactions: 5

KenyaARaineCD

· #3 · Sep 16, 2011

Contact Tammy Rabold of GoldGrove Dobermans: [email protected]

Not only is she an ethical breeder, but she is also the vice-president of the Doberman Pinscher Club of Charlotte (NC). She should be able to give you the name of a very good cropper in your area.

Reactions: 5

Cindylouwho

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 16, 2011

Q734 said:
I thought there was a sticky for ear crop care but there are a handful of vets in the country who do a good job on crops and their names are well known in dog world and on this forum. No shortage of "good vet for crops" threads here.

I think it wise to seek out the best vets available for crops in the doberman community than what "gizmo" is used, sort of goes w/the territory.

Having said that you'll read time & again that well bred dobermans already have had their ears done before you get them because most American breeders of any repute don't let their dogs go out in the world without cropped ears.

I appreciate that. However, I am asking specifically about the laser crop. I'm interested in how using that 'gizmo' worked for others.

sam&macksmom

· #5 · Sep 16, 2011

Have the breeder handle the ear crop after aftercare. Not something the new owner should have to worry about.

no experience with laser crops.

Reactions: 5

greenkouki

· #6 · Sep 16, 2011

Where are you located?

OliviaB

· #7 · Sep 16, 2011

I'm not sure about laser ear crops, but in general, laser surgery is thought to be much better for the animal than traditional surgery. There is generally less bleeding, less trauma to the area, thought to be less pain, minimal swelling, and often the surgery time is much faster. I worked for a vet who did both traditional and laser surgeries. The laser cost a bit more, but in my experience, the recovery was well worth it. We didn't do ear crops, but I've witnessed many other laser procedures.

Reactions: 2

Cindylouwho

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 16, 2011

greenkouki said:
Where are you located?

I am in Western NC. I'm disabled, so can't travel very far.

greenkouki

· #9 · Sep 16, 2011

Cindylouwho said:
I am in Western NC. I'm disabled, so can't travel very far.

I understand. Dr. Bill Martin is in your part of the state and he can give you the expert advice and cropping job you are looking for. He may be the one your husband has already spoken with Vet - William Martin in Asheville, NC

As far as the laser cropping is concerned, I don't know too much about it. There will still be some stitches on the ear regardless, because the base of the ear has to be stretched and joined by the cheek to form a nice tight spot for the post to seat. Good luck!

Reactions: 4

Adara

· #10 · Sep 16, 2011

Cindylouwho said:
I appreciate that. However, I am asking specifically about the laser crop. I'm interested in how using that 'gizmo' worked for others.

Don't worry about the "gizmo"

Cropping ears is an art. I would ONLY go to a cropper recommended by reputable Doberman breeders. And to add to that, I typically would not get a dog from a breeder who wasn't cropping before I got the dog. It's often a red flag of a byb.

Reactions: 5

Murreydobe

· #11 · Sep 16, 2011

Truly, whether a vet used a laser or not would be the least of my concerns. There are SO MANY vets who produce butt ugly crops and so few vets who are really artists at ear cropping. Bill Martin does beautiful work, he'd be the one I'd use in that area whether he used a laser or not.

Reactions: 5

Lillie's Mom

· #12 · Sep 16, 2011

no experience with laser cropping, but I did have Lillie spayed using a laser. overall, she healed faster, had almost no swelling whatsoever, and only needed pain medication for two days which I'd say is a lot better than our other pup did getting neutered the old-fashioned way

Reactions: 1

Mr.Poubelle

· #13 · Sep 16, 2011

Cindylouwho said:
I appreciate that. However, I am asking specifically about the laser crop. I'm interested in how using that 'gizmo' worked for others.

It refers to the vet using a laser scapel instead of a regular one or scissors. The laser has several advantages, it is more precise (smaller), cuts an even depth at a constant pace, and it also cauterizes (burns shut) the small blood vessels resulting in virtualy no bleeding.
One of my dogs is laser cropped, the other regular. I did notice a difference in the cut edge, the laser one was smaller/thinner and more even, I was impressed by the cut. Once healed, I see absolutly no difference between the two, none whatsoever.

As others have mentioned, it's the vet that makes the crop, not the tools he chooses.

Mr.Poubelle

· #14 · Sep 17, 2011 (Edited)

I have this pic about 4 hours after laser cropping.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

Cindylouwho

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 17, 2011

Mr.Poubelle said:
It refers to the vet using a laser scapel instead of a regular one or scissors. The laser has several advantages, it is more precise (smaller), cuts an even depth at a constant pace, and it also cauterizes (burns shut) the small blood vessels resulting in virtualy no bleeding.
One of my dogs is laser cropped, the other regular. I did notice a difference in the cut edge, the laser one was smaller/thinner and more even, I was impressed by the cut. Once healed, I see absolutly no difference between the two, none whatsoever.

As others have mentioned, it's the vet that makes the crop, not the tools he chooses.

I know..

I was calling a 'gizmo' for Q up above. I'm familiar with how the procedure works.. I mostly am interested in other's experiences with having their Dobe's ears done with the laser.

Mr.Poubelle

· #16 · Sep 17, 2011

Sorry my experience was not helpful, maybe you should P.M. the "others" that you wish to obtain experiences from specifically.

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