Spare us all your self-righteous rant about how your dog is your property, and you have every right to do whatever you want with it. He is an animal that feels pain…just like you! The sad part is that he unconditionally loves and trusts the very person that he feels he has the “right” to hurt him.
Dogs inherently come equipped with the ears they need for their specific breed. The flexible ears keep out insects, water and dirt. Man has determined that the appearance that nature gives them does not conform to the image they would like to be perceived. For this reason, the puppies suffer mutilations, pain and discomfort.
Do not be fooled. The ears were not cropped so that the dog could hear more acutely. It was done to make the dog look more intimidating. What looks more menacing, a Doberman with floppy ears or a Doberman with pointed, pricked ears?
In the real world, sometimes a puppy or dog sustains an ear injury, which may require cosmetic surgery to prevent infection or close a serious open wound or tear. For that, the procedure is understandable.
However, many countries around the world, considered by us to be “less educated and enlightened”, have recognized that there is certainly no health or medical reason for a puppy or dog to crop its ears. They have banned it and the procedure is considered illegal, with hefty fines. They also disqualify from sanctioned competitions any dog that has undergone otoplasty.
Ear cropping, also known as cosmetic otoplasty, is purely for perceived image! The practice is cruel, mutilating and painful.
If you don’t believe it, cut off part of your ear!
In the United States, three states, New York, California, and Vermont, have currently banned the procedure. In Canada, several provinces, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba, have also outlawed the practice, with others expected to follow suit.
Breeds traditionally recognized by cropped ears
Breeds with traditionally cropped ears include: Affenpinscher, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bouvier des Flandres, Boxer, Briard, Brussels Griffon, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer , Neapolitan Mastiff and Standard Schnauzer.
Trim: when and how to do it
If you sincerely believe that the procedure is painless, stop and think about the last time YOU had any type of surgery that you had control over. What were you most afraid of? What was the first thing you asked when it was over? And because?
Remember, this is not a necessary life or death procedure… this is done for cosmetic reasons only! This is done so that your dog has a certain “look”.
Now, imagine being a puppy, between the ages of 7 to 14 weeks. Hopefully, he has received a complete physical, including clotting time testing. Then they give him a tranquilizer and put him under general anesthesia, which in itself is risky for a dog of any age, particularly a puppy. The first risk is the stress of being under anesthesia, which can suppress his immune system, putting him at risk of infection.
The ears are then cleaned and disinfected. Then someone, most often but not always a vet, begins to cut, starting at the base of the ear and working your way to the tip. Generally, depending on your breed, leave 3/4 to 2/3 of your ear. Then, when they’re done cutting one, they make the other!
You now have two open wounds, which need to be stitched, stapled, or surgically attached, from bottom to top. How do you feel? Are you having fun yet?
Wait! Have you not finished. After surgery you have to wait for the wounds to heal, approximately 10-14 days.
The next event you should expect is to have your stitches or staples removed. By now, he’s probably taking antibiotics… just in case.
Once this is done, move on to shaping and recording. Their ears are most often supported with human tongue depressors, although some vets use tampons or pipe insulation. Their ears are molded and sealed, sometimes for as long as 4-6 months, so that the muscles and cartilage in their ears are “trained” to stand up on their own. Normally, the longer the ear, the longer the healing, bandaging and “training” takes.
You can stay overnight at the vet or you can go home that same day. Either way, you go with a satellite dish they call an E-collar, wrapped around your head. There is no doubt that you will bump into everything in your path… don’t think that contraption won’t hurt your ears or cut your throat! If you’re lucky, your person or vet may use a more humane padded collar.
Wait, you’re not done! For the next few months, the old bracket will need to be removed, ears cleaned, re-packed, and re-taped, at least every week to 10 days. That means you have to be careful when you play… but you probably will, because your ears are so sore that if anything touches them, it hurts!
Hopefully, your ears won’t get infected, because you can’t go more than a day without the taped support. If they get infected, you’ll know by the smell… now you’ve got a serious setback.
Hopefully, your person will be diligent in keeping their ears clean and supported. If they can’t be bothered to do it themselves, it’s best to take you to the vet or other professional to have it done. That’s about $20 a pop!
For whatever reason, as is often the case with Great Danes, because their ears are exceptionally long, if the first time doesn’t work, their owner may insist that the procedure be repeated… but now, there are fewer ears to work with. with!
Things to Consider Before Subjecting Your Pup to Unnecessary Pain and Trauma
There are those who will argue that a puppy does not feel pain because the nerve endings are not yet defined. That is not true! Because those nerve endings have been severed and are raw, your pup will feel waves of pain.
If the tape’s job is not done correctly, loss of circulation to the ears can occur, causing gangrene, or an unsightly crease can become permanent.
Some dogs suffer from serious behavior problems caused by the trauma. It could alter your temper. They can become shy and even irritable when something is done around their head or ears.
Dogs communicate using their ears. You have eliminated one of the most valuable and effective ways your dog can communicate with other dogs.
How much does it cost?
The cost varies depending on if you use a vet, a breeder or your neighbor or Uncle Joe says they can do it for free! There are many offering the service that are unlicensed and illegal. They usually charge $100. There are breeders who are also considered “experts” who typically charge between $100 and $200. Vet fees for surgery range from $300 to $500.
There is also usually a fee of at least $20, each time your pup is brought in to have their ears repaired, as that can take 4-6 months, add another $320 – $480, if you don’t does. you write
Bottom line: many veterinarians in the US now voluntarily refuse to perform cosmetic otoplasty. They will do this only if there is an injury, health, or medical reason for the procedure. That progressive shift in thinking will make for much happier and pain free puppies in the US!