As seen in The Working Dog Digest

Reprinted with permission

Care and Training of The Cropped Ear

By Maryann Bisceglia

     For those of us involved with breeds that are commonly shown with cropped ears, we’ve come to view this process as a necessary evil.  Nothing is more frustrating then putting a puppy through the surgical procedure, a painful healing period, and extensive aftercare only to find the ears still not standing properly. Having a novice owner showing up with that very promising puppy that left your place with ears standing perfectly 6 months prior only to be presented with an ear disaster is enough to make you pull your hair out!!!!!

     Following are some suggestions for success.

         Before surgery , make sure the ears are clean and dry especially inside the ear canal.  On coated breeds make sure any hair growing inside the ear canal is pulled out and wiped clean, then clipper the ear with a #40 blade inside and outside. (I usually clipper the whole head at this time, just leaving the beard and the eyebrows) Have your cropper stuff cotton down the ear canal to prevent any blood from running down the ear and creating an ear infection. Make sure to remove the cotton after the surgery is completed.

     We use dissolving sutures on the cut edge side of the ear.  In the base we use regular sutures, not tied too tight so they are easily removed after healing. I often ask for extra sutures for the base to keep the incision secure and stable.

     After the surgery it’s important to keep the ears clean and moist to hasten the healing process.  We put the pups on antibiotics and use an antibiotic salve (panalog) that is applied daily after the ears have been cleaned with bentadine solution,  Make sure you are removing the scabs from the cut edge as they are sloughing during the cleaning.

     Once ears are totally healed (approx. 10 days) make sure they are clean and dry with no signs of redness and infection ( inside the ear canal especially before the actual posting.

         You will need:

                   1) Ear posts. I make mine from flexible styrofoam cut to fit comfortably into the ear slightly longer than the ear itself. I backtape them so they will be even stickier.

                   2) Tape. I prefer a brand called Zonas which is commonly used in hospitals. You can also use white sports tape although its not quite as sticky. Do not use adhesive tapes or any type of waterproof tape that does not breath.

                   3) Skin Bond adhesive

Place pup on the grooming table with the noose on facing you.  Take the clean ear, brush on a very light amount of skin bond onto the  inside skin side of the ear. You can also brush a slight amount onto the actual post itself.  Holding ear by top outer edge, pull and stretch as taught as possible. Insert the posts deep enough so that they will stay securely enough without popping out, but not so deep as to cause discomfort or sores inside.  I prefer to start taping from the top of the ear going in a clockwise direction.  Tape loosely , then after you have reached the bottom and covered the base squeeze the ears as to crumple the tape around the ear to conform to the shape of the ear.

     The pup may shake its head and scratch its ears at first, but as they become more comfortable with the posts they should stop.  If the posts are inserted and taped properly they should be used to them within a few hours and quit bothering them.  If they are still digging and scratching at them excessively after 8 hours make sure the tape is not too tight.  You may have to remove the tape at this point and check to make sure that they’re not inserted too deeply. Re-wrap them and make sure they that they insert properly. You can make a little bridge of tape to go across the top so that they will stand erect.

     Leave ears up and taped for 6-7 days. You can then take them down and let them breath for 12-24 hours. make sure ear is clean and dry before you repost them.

     Most people ask, “How long to do I have to keep taping them?” My response is as long as it takes.  if you get lucky and are consistent with this process you may have ears standing in 4 to 6 weeks. I’ve seen other that had to be taped until they were a year old.  It’s important to remember that consistency is the key and you shouldn’t give up. Rarely is it possible to find a dog with poor ear cartilage  that just won’t respond to taping. On most occasions though, most failures are due to inconsistent and improper taping
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