CROPPING EARS
Cropping or cutting a pet’s ears is a matter of taste, an optional aesthetic decision. The procedure, if decided upon, is best performed between 10 weeks and 14 weeks of age, after at least one or two sets of immunizations have been absorbed by the pet. Many owners opt to have their pet spayed or neutered at the same time to save the pet the risk of dual anesthetic episodes.
The aftercare of ear cropping is considerable. The pet spends the night in the hospital. Sutures are removed at approximately 5-7 days depending on healing progress. The ears are left to heal for 1 full week in the open air, sometimes on oral antibiotics if indicated. Then the 1st wrap is performed approximately 2 weeks after cropping surgery. Normally the wraps stay on for 7 days and are taken down for 4 days (to allow airing). The wraps are repeated as many times as necessary to get the ears to stand. The number of wraps is dependant on the conformation of the dog’s ears in relation to the head and the thickness of cartilage. Good pup nutrition helps in forming strong cartilage, but it is impossible to predict how many wraps will be necessary to achieve erect ears. Schnauzer, Min Pin, and Pit Bull cuts are so short normally no wrap is needed, and if so just one or two. Boxers, Dobermans, and Great Danes can require an unpredictable amount of wraps because the cut is longer.