Cropped Ears

[johnsonj]

:confused:
We just picked-up a one year old 'stray' boxer from our local animal shelter. The ears have been cropped, although one of the ears will not stand up. I think that the previous owners got frustrated and dropped the dog off to run away. I was wondering if you feel that it would be worth the time to try and 'correct the flopping ear. I have no clue on how long his ear has been this way. I realize that to try and correct this may take quite some time.

 

[Kysha]

We rescued a boxers years ago that had a failed crop - both of it's ears flopped in on top of his head. He was three years old at the time.

We talked to some local breeders and our vet and they said that there were basically three options:
1. Can redo the surgery and cut the ears smaller to hopefully make them stand up again. Depending on where the ear 'breaks' this could be an opetion.
2. Surgucally implant a wire like object in the ear to make it stand.
3. Break the cartiledge in the ear and then retape the ear to train it to stand up.

We chose to do nothing to the ears, because I didn't want to put him through another traumatizing experience in his life. We loved him for his 'crazy ears'!! It added character to him - not that he needed any more!

I also heard that message can help with getting ears to stand.

I am sure that others will have more info on this topic, but I wanted to share what was presented to use at the time.

 

[Poochies Mama]

Hi!

I'm new to the forum but not boxers...and have just gotten Poochie.

Poochie is 8 months old with a long show crop. His left ear has a flop problem (an "over correction") that I am working on now.

I'm finding that ear massage works very well. Poochie only get's droopy when he has one particular *intense look* now, otherwsie on a relaxed face the ears are fine and we just need to get the tips to stand up.

And don't be discouraged.

Work at the taping. Try your own hand at taping.

I use the cushiony foam "window" isulation back wrapped with surgical tape and then taped to the ear with sports tape. If no-one has explained this method ~ though I'm sure it has been and there are links to examples on the web, I'll be happy to do so for you.

It is a two person job until you get the hang of it and lots of tasty treats for the doggie make it a painless and simply a challenging experience for the Boxer Mommy or Daddy. It also builds up a huge level of trust.

Here is the hot moist climate of South Fla I see that the upright ears appear to aid in Poochie staying cool. He appears more comfortable after running around the park than most of the other boxers with un clipped ears. He also hasn't been plagued by ear mites or infections even though he loves the wading pools the park has to keep the doggies cool with splashing fun which other dogs have had to deal with.

So to summarize:

Ear massage ~ massage the cartilage where it is "crackly" and flopped over

Re-tape and splint ears ~ 5 days up, 2 days down

You might also want to include a calcium tablet every day as your dog might have had too little calcium during the ear set period to properly set the ears. We originally had tablets from the vet, but have been using TUMS (2 tablets) each night and Poochie has been loving that sweet treat.

Would love some feed back

Love,

Poochie and his Mama

 

[Titans world]

Poochies Mom.

I was just curious in which part of Florida you live in. I am located in Miami, new to boxers and I was hoping that I can find someone near me so that I can learn and gain experience through them.

As of now I have yet to find anyone in Miami that is really good at what they do.


Thanks

 

[Melyssa]

Oh..poor thing
I would just leave his ears as they are. He probably is sooo cute with a lazy ear! I would be afraid it would hurt too much to try and correct it now. Since they are usually done when they are puppies.


I vote for leaving it as-is!
Melyssa

 

[boxertalk]

comfy ear supports for puppy's cropped ears

Our family came up with a way to support cropped ears while they "finish" that I think is original (maybe...maybe not!) But our Boxer loves it and it worked.

At first we did the traditional posting procedure, center post placed inside the ear that stops before the bump and then tape around the outside of the ear around and around, but not too tight.

Our puppy hated it.

We decided to try something new, so we went to the drug store bought some Dr. Scholl's foam inserts and skin adhesive. We created ear patterns out of paper and then used these to cut out foam to fit each ear in the exact shape of each ear, but no longer than the ridge right before the entrance to the ear canal.

We apply three coats of adhesive to our foam inserts and wait until it dries. It is really sticky still but it doesn't irritate the inside of her ears if it is dry we've found.

Then we press the foam inserts just to the inside of each ear. No taping is needed and the ears can move back and forth, up and down just like they can normally. Plus you don't have the hair pulling problem when you remove the tape each week.

She can sleep upside down in them, play in them...no problem. And they work! Her ears are done now and she was able to look relatively normal while they were hardening up with cartiledge. Plus we never had to worry about cutting off blood circulation to her ears. She has a long show crop and they turned out beautifully.