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EAR CROPPING Ear cropping, Ear Trimming ,or cosmetic otoplasty, is performed on the ears of certain breeds of dogs to meet breed specifications. This procedure is done on Schnauzers, Miniature Pinschers, Dobermans, Boxers, Pit Bulls, Boston Terriers and Great Danes. However, if you own one of these breeds, you do not have to have this surgery preformed. There is some controversy about this procedure because it is viewed as an unnecessary surgery for cosmetic purposes only. Veterinarians in Britain do not perform this surgery at all and the procedure is not taught in many veterinary teaching institutions. We offer this surgery because it is our belief that it strengthens the human-animal bond for our pets to look a certain way. Many of these breeds will look just as handsome without having their ears cut. However, I’m sure that many of you will agree that Dobermans and Great Danes are two breeds that have a completely different appearance based upon whether their ears are trimmed. Regardless of the trimming standard, all ears cannot be trimmed alike. Variations are justified in any breed, and shape and length of the ear vary with the sex and conformation of the individual dog. The type of ear trim performed here is a ‘straight’ cut following the natural curve of the ear. This hospital does not perform ‘show cuts’. We encourage you to discuss with the Doctor or Technician your preferences on ear width and length prior to surgery. · Pit Bulls 3/5 of ear left (this is not a ‘fighting’ cut) · Boxer 2/3 to ¾ of ear left · Doberman ¾ of ear left · Great Dane ¾ to 7/8 of ear left · Min Pin 2/3 to ¾ of ear left · Schnauzer 2/3 of ear left · Boston Terrier ¾ to full trim General Considerations The surgery is performed at 12 weeks of age. Sometimes the surgery can be done at a later age, however, the chance of the ear successfully standing after surgery decreases with age. Even when performed at 12 weeks of age there is no guarantee that both ears will stand erect after surgery. Surgery only shapes the ear. Whether or not the ear stands up well has to do with the strength of the ear cartilage. At this age, the cartilage can usually be trained to stand erect. All puppies having this procedure performed need to be in general good health and current on vaccinations. If a puppy is malnourished, heavily parasitized, and in poor condition, the surgery will be delayed until the health of the puppy is improved. The stress of anesthesia and surgery may suppress the puppy’s immune system and may increase susceptibility to infection. Post Operative Care Many ears fail to stand because of improper after-care. Scarring of the cut edge can produce undesirable effects such as contraction of the ear margin or unsightly blemishes. Immediately after surgery your pet will have its ears taped to an aluminum can or a foam block. Sutures will be removed in two weeks. Ideally, the ears will stay in position on the apparatus until then. If, however, they do not remain taped in position—please do not tape your pet’s ears at home; instead, bring your pet to us. If the tape is applied too tightly, it can interfere with blood supply and potentially cause part of the ear to die. The number of ear wraps needed for the ears to stand varies based upon breed and individual cartilage strength. Three additional ear racks (wraps) are included with the price of your pet’s surgery. There will be an extra charge for additional ear wraps. Most puppies will need to be sedated for the ear wrap procedure. These ear wraps are usually needed from three to six weeks but may be necessary for as long as three to four months in some pets. Your pet will be given an injection for pain control at the time of surgery. Your pet will also be sent home with the following medication—anti-inflammatory for pain control, sedative to keep the ear wraps in place, and antibiotics to help prevent infection. Potential Complications The biggest potential complication is one or both ears failing to stand. Other potential complications include moist dermatitis, irritation of the skin secondary to the tape adhesive, ear infection, scarring and immune suppression. Please read this handout carefully and discuss any questions and concerns with the Doctor. ________________________________________________________________ Do not attempt it yourself because it may be dangerous & cruel. It is illegal to crop a dog's ears in the U. S. unless you are a licensed vet. In some states, ear cropping is completely illegal! Cropping the Ears This article is for historical and information purposes. Do not attempt this at home! It is illegal in most states. By Joseph L. Colby from " The American Pit Bull Terrier" The cropping of dog’s ears is prohibited by the laws in some states. A heavy fine is imposed on anyone convicted of doing so. Some states even prohibit anyone owning a dog with cropped ears. For example, a fancier in one of the eastern states was hailed into court for having in his possession a dog with cropped ears. It was not until he had gone into the expense of getting a lawyer and proving that he had purchased the dog from a breeder in a state that had no law enforcing the cropping of ears, that the charges were dropped.
It is not advisable for breeders to crop the ears of the American Pit Bull Terrier because many prospective buyers prefer the natural ear and will not buy a dog or pup with cropped ears. It is not practical to crop the ears of the fighting dog because it leaves too much of the inside exposed standard for the breed does not compel the ear to be cropped, we do not encourage it.
However, for those who have a fancy for cropped ears a few hints and methods for cropping are given as follows: The best time to crop the ears on a pup is from four to eight months. Within this time the ears will attain their natural posture, giving a better idea of the style most suitable for the dog. They will be much more firm and strong than the ears of a younger pup. If possible give an anesthetic, getting advice on using it from a veterinary. If your crop the ears in the summertime, be sure to keep your pup in quarters free from flies. If this precaution is used the ears will heal up quicker because if the flies bother the pup he is liable to ruin the job by trying to rid himself of the flies that get on his sore ears.
The easiest way to crop the ears is to get a board & feet long and 18 inches wide. Make a hole 4 ½ inches in diameter in the middle of the board six inches in from one end. Nail this board firm to any cast off table, wooden packing case or better still, make a frame especially for the cropping board. Be sure the hole protrudes out over the frame or whatever the cropping board is attached to. Use your own judgment about the height you want it. Take five strips of cloth (similar to bed sheeting) one yard long and four inches wide. Make a slip loop and adjust it just above the dew claws on all four feet. Stretch the pup out in length as much as possible and nail the strips to the cropping board. Take the strip you have left ad make a slip loop over the pup’s muzzle just below his eyes. Cross it under his throat. Bring it up and tie it fairly tight on the back of his neck. Put his nose down through the hole. Have some one stand alongside to hold his head down firm in the hole. Get in front of the pup and hold his ears straight up pulling the ears together over his head. Hold both ears with the left hand taking a pair of sharp scissors and snip both ears evenly about the height you want them, preferably one and one-half to two inches up from the head. Let one ear go. Then cut down diagonally from the place where you sniped almost two-thirds of the way. Then start from the bottom, keeping in line with the ear partially cut and go up to where you left off. Have a basin of warm water with a strong solution of Hexol or any other disinfectant in it within your reach. Take some cotton and wash the ear off. Trim off any ragged edges. Pinch the ear, where any blood spurts with your finger tips. Then perform the same operation on the other ear. Wash both ears good with the disinfectant and cut your pup loose. Put him in clean quarters and leave him alone. Look in every half hour for a couple of hours to see that he is not bleeding too freely. If he is, pinch the ear where it is spurging out to stop the flow of blood. Do not wash the ears any more, but put some carbolated Vaseline the next day and every day for a week. Scabs will form and drop off until finally the ear will be well. If you notice nay adhesions forming, pull on the ears to take them out. This prevents the ear from healing up with kinks in it and being the ear from healing up with kinks in it and helps the ear to stand erect. In cropping ears, I have found that by putting wads of cotton inside the ear it prevents the blood from getting too far inside the ear which is very irritable for the pup. By all means do not get excited or nervous while cropping ears. It does no good and may be the cause of ruining a good job. Your pup will not die from the operation. There is no age limit in cropping dogs’ ears, but it is not advisable to crop a grown dog’s ears unless they have been torn, cut, or injured. _______________________________________________________________ EAR-CROPPING Taken from "The Sporting Bull Terrier"
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