Ear Cropping

- When to do it -

We recommend cropping (if you decide to go that route) at approximately 7 weeks of age (at least 4 lbs. in weight) or as directed by your veterinarian. Many people do not crop the ears, as this is a personal preference. We at Branford, do crop our dog's ears for the following two reasons:

hygiene
aesthetics (most uncropped ears do not "lay" correctly)

If you decide to crop your dog's ears, then read the following section for tips on care after the procedure.

Ear Cropping Aftercare Tips

The Sutures

Remove stitch #1 - 2 days after crop.
Remove stitch #2 - 3 days after crop.
Remove stitch #3 - 5 days after crop.
Remove stitch #4 & #5 - one week after crop.
Remove tapes only after cut edges are healed.

Daily:

Apply "Polysporin" and Aloe Vera gel to cut edges. Fill ear canal with Polysporin and use a Q-tip to push Polysporin into canal and down to stitch #5. Being sure to separate cut edges above stitch #5. After 5 days, precede above with a peroxide and water (1 to 3 parts) wash, being sure to gently remove scabs while applying Polysporin and Aloe Vera. The ears are taped over the head to stretch cut edges and keep them straight. If tapes are allowed to become loose, the cut edge will "shrink" as it heals and ears will curl out. So be sure to re-tape if tapes become loose. (If you can put a finger between ears and top of head, tapes are too loose.)

Taping Instructions:

Apply Rubber Cement to inside cut edge (not on the cut edge itself).
Split 1/2 inch Johnson and Johnson Waterproof tape to make it 1/4 inch wide.
Apply tape to inside of ear, press down FIRMLY, pull tape forward and towards ear, hold tape down on head close to tip of ear, and pull remaining tape down cheek and under throat around head, repeat with other ear.
Keep in mind that you are STRETCHING the cut edge so KEEP IT TAUT.

After tape is removed, if the ears are lying on top of the puppy's head (and most are), tape them according to these instructions:

Use 3-M Microspore 1 inch tape.

Cut 2 two inch strips and 2 three inch strips.

Pull tip of ear straight up and with the two inch strip, held horizontally, wrap tape from inside to outside of ear, at base of ear.
With one three inch strip, held vertically, tape back of cut edge of ear, leaving a 1/2 inch selvage of tape.
With other three inch strip, held vertically, tape front of cut edge of ear, leaving a 1.2 inch selvage of tape, that is taped to first three inch strip. These usually stay on two or three days (if your lucky). If ears are not straight up, re-tape until they are.

Instructions for Cleaning and Care of Newly Cropped Ears

Items you'll need:

Bowl of 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
Cotton Balls
Q-tips.
Polysporin, Lanabiotic, or any other antibiotic ointment.
Aloe Vera gel.
Cut paper plates.
Stapler.
Small forceps.
Small scissors.
Towel on table top surface for puppy.

Every Day

Remove dirty paper plates.
Soak ears with cotton balls soaked in peroxide peeling away scabs and cleaning edges and stitches.
Dry with Q-tips rolling away scabs.
Remove any stitches that need to be removed using small scissors and small forceps.
Put nozzle of Antibiotic into ear canal and squeeze about a pea size amount into canal.
Add same amount of Aloe Vera on top of Antibiotic.
Push ointments into ear canal with Q-tip and then up along cut edge of ear.
Massage ointments into edges and pull and stretch gently on ears that are not taped down.

Pictures will accompany these steps as the site is updated!

Any questions that we can help you with, please feel free to contact us anytime.

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