EAR CROP CARE

If you’ve chosen to have your puppy’s ears cropped or are thinking about it, take a moment to read this article.

This is an important time for your puppy, and you need to keep a close eye on their ears. If your puppy starts scratching at their ears, try to stop them right away. If you can’t prevent them from scratching or rubbing their ears on things, you may need to use a cone or e-collar to protect the ears.

It’s very important to keep the area clean while the ears heal to avoid infections that could mean an emergency trip to the vet. You can use peroxide and Sulfodene 3-Way Ointment for Dogs, which is available on Amazon, 2 to 3 times a day. Keeping the skin clean helps with healing and prevents any issues.

Another thing to watch out for are scabs on the ears. You should remove these scabs as soon as you see them because they can stop the ears from standing up properly. The best way to remove scabs is by soaking them in water for about 5 minutes. This softens the scabs, making it easier and less painful to remove them.

When you’re cleaning your dog’s ears, also keep an eye out for any signs of infection. Look for redness, swelling, pain, or red streaks around the ears. If you see any of these signs, take your dog to the vet right away for treatment.

If the stitches come loose, don’t panic. As long as there is no infection or swelling, the ears should be fine. But if you do see swelling, it’s time to visit the vet.

Around 2 weeks after the ear cropping, the stitches should start to come out on their own. You can help by using a small nail clipper or tiny scissors to cut any visible stitches. If there’s a knot in the stitching, cut that part first. If you don’t feel comfortable removing the stitches yourself, your vet can help.

As your puppy grows, gently massage their ears in an upright direction to encourage them to stand. If the ears don’t stand on their own, ask your vet about taping them to help.

For those looking to make ear care easier, you might want to consider some helpful items like Zymox Ear Solution for cleaning or an e-collar to prevent scratching. And for a budget-friendly option, you can find dog ear tape for just a dollar or two online to help support the ears while they heal.

Infrared light therapy devices are often used to help speed up healing, reduce inflammation, and promote blood circulation in areas like the ears after cropping. Many pet owners use them to support faster recovery and prevent infections. You can find options like the Red Light Therapy Device for Dogs on Amazon, which may be useful for promoting healing after ear cropping.

Taking good care of your puppy’s ears during this time will help ensure they heal properly and stand as they should. If you ever have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet for advice.