Ear Cropping Fears

[Storminnorman310]

Okay guys, here we go your friendly neighborhood worry wart is back. I have gotten Maxx's appointment for his ears to be cropped set up for this Friday at 8:00 am. I now am worried. Today he turned 12 weeks old, the vet told us to wait this long because it was his practice to have 2 sets of puppy shots in the dog. I am wondering if I waited too long, and will this make it harder for his ears to stand? Also, they said since we are getting the short crop, NOT the "BATTLE" crop, they do not tape the ears. I know this pace has cropped ears for many years, but should I insist that they crop his ears?

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I think you mean should you insist they tape the ears?

We try to avoid taping if at all possible. Our older females did not require any taping or posting to get them to stand. Our puppies both had one each that we taped a couple of times just to make sure they were going in the right direction. Usually the shorter the crop the less likely you are going to have to tape but most vet's won't tape until the stitches come out anyway.

See how they look (12 weeks is still lots of time for taping if required) and play it by ear... if you are having trouble a couple of weeks after cropping then you might need to post but you won't know until then.

 

[diverdan169]

I am surprised to hear your vet is even doing the surgery since many Vets in the U.S. are refusing to do both ears and tail dockings. 5 weeks of age has been my experience and no they do not have to be taped when done as you are having. Just keep them moist with bacatracian and when able to-rub them gently to stimulate blood flow & healing.

 

[Cody]

5 weeks?
Most I know do it between 8-12 weeks, I have not heard of many breeders doing it earlier.
There are a lot of vets that still practice crop/dock thankfully.

 

[Geisthexe]

I am surprised to hear your vet is even doing the surgery since many Vets in the U.S. are refusing to do both ears and tail dockings. 5 weeks of age has been my experience and no they do not have to be taped when done as you are having. Just keep them moist with bacatracian and when able to-rub them gently to stimulate blood flow & healing.

I am not being mean but you are so incorrect

Yes it is 9 to 12 weeks of age!
You do not want them taped when they leave the hospital bc the ears will have stitches
You do not want to put stuff on them bc you will hinder the healing process.
After a week with stitches in massage the ears
If once the stitches come out and they are not standing
You do not need to do the horrendous taping, I can show you a perfect way to have the ears stand.

And about Vets in the US. There are still quite a few doing it bc the ones that still are practice in areas that did not go with the law to ban ears and tails.

Don't be worried it is a pretty easy process if this vet is experienced with doing ears.

 

[Aplatitsin]

My pups ears were done at 12 weeks and I didn't have any problems

 

[taisa899]

My girls ears were never done

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I have heard of them being done at 6 weeks with some breeders but most often it is 7 to 12 weeks. Our vet will not do the ears after 12 weeks

 

[Russ Williams]

I am surprised to hear your vet is even doing the surgery since many Vets in the U.S. are refusing to do both ears and tail dockings. 5 weeks of age has been my experience and no they do not have to be taped when done as you are having. Just keep them moist with bacatracian and when able to-rub them gently to stimulate blood flow & healing.

When ear cropping is done by an experience veterinary surgeon it is really no different than any other medical procedure.

When they outlaw circumcision on newborn babies or plastic surgery on adult humans, I will consider listening to the anti-crop arguments. Until then, find another soap box to stand on.[h=3][/h]

 

[jcook]

I wouldn't do it too young, 9-12 weeks is best. It heard that if you do it before that then you can risk them taking too much ear off. Also anesthesia risks are greater, I think. I had one very popular LA vet that refused to do it for any dog under age 14 weeks. I had Stella's done at 12 weeks. Some people will post/tape the ears right after surgery, others don't post or tape at all. We left Stella's ears alone until he stitches were out. Then we posted because really wanted to make sure they would stand (hers took a while, 6-7 months, to offically be standing). Posting can be a pain, and they say that I the crop was for properly then they should not need to be posted to stand. We just really really wanted to be sure they would. That is why we posted.

 

[Geisthexe]

When ear cropping is done by an experience veterinary surgeon it is really no different than any other medical procedure.

When they outlaw circumcision on newborn babies or plastic surgery on adult humans, I will consider listening to the anti-crop arguments. Until then, find another soap box to stand on.[h=3][/h]

Yes it is not different

And I completely agree with you

I have had a few dogs ears done at 9 to a year old ... It's harder to do at this time but possible. Most vets who do ears won't do it but some will.

It is WRONG that some folks who think they can do it and are not a vet is completely wrong and I do not and will not agree with it.
A lady in VA was arrested for this and put in prison for practicing vet medicine wo a lic.

We as pet owners need to fight for our rights from BSL to being able to keep what we have been doing for generations. I know I'll not stop cropping my Presas ears

 

[Amanda F.]

Jax had his ears done around 12 weeks. Once he was all healed up his ears were laying on his head so I taped them. I learned quickly that "less is more" when it comes to taping. Just one or two little strips per ear and they set up nicely...finally! He had one that was a little more stubborn but it finally caught on and now they stand perfectly.

 

[NiKlaus]

Deb,

I am curious to see what you were suggesting as an alternate to taping one of 20mo cc ears is not standing up though they are not floppy since it was short. It's folding down but I am noticing that it is getting firm by the weeks.

Thanks

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

What a barbaric custom. Who sold you a dog?

Your opinion an to be honest not one most of us with cropped breeds are interested in. If you don't like the cropped breeds then get one that isn't.

 

[Kate Williams]

We did our boy at eight weeks. The first day I cried and told my husband that I hated him. By day three Hank was Hank and his ears are perfect. We never had to tape them. They move like a pair of eyebrows he raises them and wiggles them. It's pretty cool. You're going to worry but relax in the long run you'll be happy that you did it. One of the wonderful ladies on here suggested Benedryl it was a life saver...

 

[raechiemay]

They move like a pair of eyebrows he raises them and wiggles them. It's pretty cool.

That's awesome. One thing I look forward to when I finally get a CC is having his ears cropped. To me, it enhances the look of the breed. Not saying those who choose not to crop are wrong bc I initially felt that it was cruel until I came here. Now I know better.

 

[diverdan169]

No I do not think you are being mean just your view. But how am I incorrect? My dogs ears where done at 5 weeks of age by a respedted breeder who others on this board have their dogs? My best friend is a vet and he recomends to do them between 5 & 9 weeks. Whan the stitches were gone I used bacatracian and rubbed them to help healing? Many vets in this area (NY) do not do ears or tails and there is a growing relectance to do this type of surgery. Personaly I like the ears and tail done but many animal activists are very vocal about these procedures and are influencing vets and Vet colleges. I believe the AKC no longer requires it for breeds that traditionaly had it done? What amazes me is that some folks on this board think they have all the correct answers when many times it is what we learned and how we are taught that makes all of us tend to think their way is the best way. Look at the other posts here some do it after 10 weeks!

I am not being mean but you are so incorrect

Yes it is 9 to 12 weeks of age!
You do not want them taped when they leave the hospital bc the ears will have stitches
You do not want to put stuff on them bc you will hinder the healing process.
After a week with stitches in massage the ears
If once the stitches come out and they are not standing
You do not need to do the horrendous taping, I can show you a perfect way to have the ears stand.

And about Vets in the US. There are still quite a few doing it bc the ones that still are practice in areas that did not go with the law to ban ears and tails.

Don't be worried it is a pretty easy process if this vet is experienced with doing ears.

 

[Russ Williams]

Originally Posted by ZoeOwner
What a barbaric custom. Who sold you a dog?

The last person I saw speak these words had her lips packed full of collagen, pierced ears and a plastic forehead. I am sure the irony never occurred to her.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

The last person I saw speak these words had her lips packed full of collagen, pierced ears and a plastic forehead. I am sure the irony never occurred to her.

LMAO seriously! I would have laughed and walked her over to a window and pointed out the obvious to her.

 

[Misfit36]

I will be getting my girls done soon. She's 9 weeks and I have had some trouble finding a good vet around here to do it. I found one about 25 minutes away who has done many dobes, pitbulls, danes. He has done a litter of corsos and presas. I showed him about 10 pics of various crops I like and he kept asking me how much I wanted off, i.e half, half and a quarter. Confused the heck out of me, but this is how he gauges it I guess. He said that the ears dont necessarily grow with the head, is this true? He said this because I told him I dont want them too short and I understand if they are a little long at first, but he said that doesnt matter. Any opinions on this? sorry to hijack