ear cropping

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1boxer

Boxer Pal
I just had my puppy's ears cropped at 11 weeks old and the vet said he couldn't leave them long because it was too late, they wouldn't stand. He has shorter ears and would not leave the tape on and was keeping the sides bloody. We took off the tape and tried to heal them with the neosporin. They are flopping on the top now. My husband took him back to the vet this morning to get them retaped. How long should I leave the tape on? I can't put the antibiotic ointment on now that they are taped. He shook his head from side to side constantly when they were first done for two days. I think I should have left them natural but now I am concerned that they won't look right. Can you tell I have never had a dog with cropped ears before?
Thanks for suggestions.
 

CarolM

Boxer Buddy
Many vets do not know how to crop ears and many poor boxers have paid the price for this. The vet I work for has stopped doing it many years ago because he considers it inhumane and I tend to agree. For ears to flop over provides protection for the inner and outer ear and well as sound buffers etc..... but... since it was done and you and your husband seem to be doing all that is required, I would keep in close contact with the vet...as long as the bandages are DRY and in tact and the puppy doesnt seem to be in pain, I think its ok. HOWEVER, I would be in touch with this vet whenever you feel something isn't right! It seems some people dont want to bother thier vets but I say BOTHER him or her..its their job! The ears may not come out as you would like but thats the risk that is taken... My white boxer Petey has natural ears but my other 2 came to me with ears already cropped. I do know my sister had her pups ears taped up for over a month with many complications... and 1 still flopped over. Again, check with your vet but make sure that those bandages are DRY and free from odor.... a dogs temperature should be between 100 and 102...if it were me, I would be keeping an eye on this puppy.... and in VERY close contact with the vet! Ear cropping is surgery and should not be taken lightly. I hope all the best for your puppy, just remember that what we do to alter nature sometimes never comes out like we had planned.... I hope the ears look as you would hope, just put the burden on the vet!! They do the surgery then they should give you all the pros and cons...and be with you all the way to full healing of those precious boxers ears! Hug that little baby for me! ........
 

Scrapper's Mom

Boxer Insane
From my experience, Boxer ears do not stand on their own without taping for many months. I would recommend that you contact an experienced show breeder in your area and ask for their help in properly posting and taping the ears so they stand. Scrapper's ears were cropped very long and they took almost five months of taping before they stood. Being cropped at 11 weeks should not be too late to obtain a satisfactory result. Cropping is an art and requires a certain eye to get the right result. And unless you are headed for the show ring, or have a personal preference for the cropped look, you really don't need to do anything to their ears. But please seek consultation right away with someone highly experienced (and with excellent recommendations) who can do a "hands-on" evaluation of your baby and help you with this situation. Have you seen any other crops from this vet and like his results? Not all vets are the best judge of good crops or able to do them properly. Good luck to you and your furbaby.
 
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