Ear cropping in dogs: the age of the animals and the cost of the operation

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

This veterinary operation has an ancient history. The first such manipulations were carried out during the existence of the Roman Empire. Dogs serving with legionnaires had their ears shortened to ostensibly protect them from rabies. This is where the tradition came from that cropping the ears of dogs of fighting breeds (Staffs, Alabays, Caucasian Shepherds, Dobermans and others) is a mandatory procedure. True, short ears gave them an advantage in battle - the four-legged fighter became less vulnerable to the enemy's teeth. For hunting dogs, the reason for doing the operation is similar, they also sometimes come into a fight with the beast, especially since small ears are more difficult to damage, foreign objects get into them less often. And in most cases, the formation of the auricle surgically has to be carried out due to the requirements of the breed standards. Recently, cupping as a mandatory procedure is losing its relevance. Many European countries have even introduced a ban on participation in dog shows with artificial ears. However, stilla fairly large percentage of pet owners find trimming this body part both aesthetically and necessary.

Indications for ear cropping in an animal

As already mentioned above, the main reason is the standard of a particular breed of dog. The second most important is ear surgery due to a disease. For example, tumors, ulcerative lesions of the auricles in an animal, the presence of necrotic tissue areas, extensive burns or wounds, as a rule, lead to the forced removal of the corresponding part of the body. It has also been proven that dogs with short ears are less likely to register bites, injuries, ingress of foreign objects, and infection with pathogenic organisms. For guard breed pets, the absence of auricles is another feature that contributes to their invulnerability when attacked along with a shortened tail and dense coat.

However, many show experts and cynologists today are inclined to believe that ear cropping in dogs as a tribute to fashion has lost its foundation, and animal rights activists consider this procedure painful enough to be carried out without serious reasons.

Contraindications

Of course, the procedure for trimming the auricle in a dog, like any other operation, has a number of factors when it is not recommended. Surgery should be delayed or ruled out entirely if:

• puppy has obvious developmental disabilities;
• dog sick;
• there are selectionsany character from animal ears;
• puppy has a fever.

Types of transactions

For a long time, fighting and hunting dogs had cropped ears, and in the end this was even fixed in the standards of some breeds. Therefore, the angle at which this part of the body is cut, and the correct setting of the ears of the animal are regulated by the requirements for its appearance and breed. To date, this manipulation is carried out on more than a dozen dogs, including Dobermans, Pinschers, Central Asian and Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, Giant Schnauzers, Staffordshire Terriers and many others. In Caucasians, a significant part of the ear is removed, the shells of Great Danes and Pinschers are given a classic point, but in Pit Bulls and Staffs, only one third of the original size should remain from this part of the body after the operation. The edge can be either straight or S-shaped.

If you are going to have a puppy who will need to form the ears, find out in advance the details of this operation and the requirements for the appearance of the dog. It would be useful to inquire about when it is best to perform ear cropping in dogs (age), what are the possible complications, and the rules for caring for this part of the body after surgery. In the future, this information will help you to act correctly. We will discuss some aspects below.

How to prepare a dog for surgery? Description of the actions of the veterinarian

The animal must fast for at least 10-12 hours before ear cropping. The operation usually takes 30minutes to 1.5 hours. Removal takes place under local anesthesia (in puppyhood) or under general anesthesia (for adults). The owner will need the ability to securely fix and hold his pet. To do this, the dog is firmly held on the operating table by the front and hind limbs. Also make sure that the animal cannot move its body, put a muzzle on it or fix its jaws to prevent biting.

After that, the veterinarian carefully trims the hair, clearing the surgical field. Immediately before cupping, the skin on the ears is treated with an antiseptic solution, an incision line is applied, and an anesthetic is injected. The incision is made from the top of the ear to its base in accordance with the markup. The edges of the wound are sutured and treated with antibacterial drugs.

It is recommended to perform this procedure for puppies before they reach one week of age. In older individuals, it will be more difficult to form the correct set of ears, there is a high risk of developing negative consequences. You need to know that if the owner of several adults decides to crop the ears of dogs, the price of the operation will be higher. If the financial factor is decisive for you, consider a few more features. Before agreeing to ear cropping in dogs, you should find out the cost in advance. It sometimes depends on the breed, the size of the dog, the price list of the clinic (on average 2000-4000 rubles).

How to take care of the seams?

After cupping the ears, their shape is maintained using a special frame (thisdoes not apply to all breeds). It must be worn for at least 20 days. In order for the puppy not to damage the set of auricles, a plastic collar must be put on his neck. Do not let your dog play with other puppies and animals, this can lead to a violation of the integrity of the dressing, infection in the wound, or sutures coming apart. In the first days after the operation, it is allowed to give the pet painkillers. Stitches are removed after 7-10 days.

Ear cropping in dogs: complications

Let's list what unpleasant situations the owner of the dog may face after removing part of the ear from the pet.

1. The occurrence of bleeding. If ear cropping in dogs is performed at a week of age, this complication can be avoided. Older specimens are much more likely to bleed after surgery.
2. Scar formation, thickening. This nuisance is also less common in puppies. The timing of suture removal also affects this.
3. Development of the inflammatory process. To avoid this complication, the operation must be performed under sterile veterinary clinic conditions by a certified veterinary surgeon.