PROCEDURE FOR EAR CROPPING OF DOG
Compiled & Edited by-DR RAJESH KUMAR SINGH, JAMSHEDPUR, 9431309542,rajeshsinghvet@gmail.com & DR SANTOSH KR GIRI, VARANASI
Pit bulls are often described as ferocious dogs with alert ears. The ‘raised-ear’ look of these dogs is achieved through ear cropping, a surgical procedure that removes a part of the outer ear or pinna. This procedure is also known as ear trimming or otoplasty. The ‘raised-ear’ look is often a part of the breed standard, which has to be maintained for dog shows.Although in India, this practices is ban by the AWBI,which falls under the ambit of cruelty and therefore a punishable offence under Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.Such acts are punishable under Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code and such procedures states that practices like docking of tails and cropping of ears will now be punishable with a fine, or imprisonment, or both.
The purpose of this post is not to encourage these practices but to aware the pet owners regarding its modus perandi.Although, the rules gives some conditional permission of ear cropping in certain infectious cases.
Is it really necessary to get your pit bull’s ears trimmed? Does your pet benefit in any way or are you trying to impose your will on the poor being, who cannot express himself. For those of you planning to get the ears of your pit bull trimmed, have a look at the pros and cons before you make the decision.
Ear cropping is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the dog’s ear is removed. The purpose of the procedure is usually to produce ears that stand erect. This procedure is most often performed in puppies around 8-12 weeks of age. Most veterinarians will not perform this procedure on puppies over 14 weeks of age because as the pup ages, his ear cartilage becomes less pliant and the potential for non-erect ears increases.
What is the Purpose of Ear Cropping?
Ear cropping is believed to have started in ancient Rome. A portion of the dog’s ear is removed surgically, so that the cartilage stands erect. This practice was intended to prevent injury to dogs that were raised for working, hunting or fighting. In case of fighting and hunting dogs, floppy ears could be bitten off. Floppy ears are also prone to vermin bites, which can lead to fatal ear infection. It was also believed that ear cropping makes the animal look more ferocious and alert.
The Actual Procedure
Ear cropping is done on puppies and not adult pit bulls. Before surgery, sedatives, antibiotics as well as pain killers are administered. The ears are cleaned well, before measuring and marking the portion to be cut. The portion to be removed is determined according to the type of cut you choose. It could be a long crop, show crop, short crop or battle crop. The cut edges will be sutured and the ears will be disinfected. Some vets may use special bandages to wrap the ears tightly, so that they stay erect. Some others do it once the wounds heal. Medicines are continued for pain relief and for preventing infection. You may keep the puppy in the hospital or else, take him home (if you can provide with the right aftercare). The surgery takes around 30 to 45 minutes and ten to 14 days are required for healing. Proper aftercare is very much important. However, there is no guarantee that the results will be positive. In other words, it may happen that the ears remain floppy, even after the surgery.
This is a surgical procedure in which part of the ear is removed. General anesthesia is needed to induce unconsciousness, control pain and relax muscles. In the usual case, the pet will receive a pre-anesthetic sedative-analgesic drug to help him relax, a brief intravenous anesthetic to allow placement of a breathing tube in the windpipe, and subsequently inhalation (gas) anesthesia in oxygen during the actual surgery. Following anesthesia, the pet’s ears are clipped and scrubbed with surgical soap to disinfect the area. An incision is made from the base of the ear, up the center and to the tip of the ear to remove the outer half of the ear. What remains is a triangular piece of the ear. The procedure is then performed on the other ear. The incision may be sutured or glued with surgical adhesive. If sutured, the sutures may need to be removed in 10 to 14 days. Following surgery, specific bandage techniques are used to keep the ears erect during healing.
The procedure is not always successful. Every animal has individual differences in their ears and surgery may not result in completely erect ears.
The procedure takes about 45 minutes to 1-1/4 hours to perform in most cases, including the needed time for preparation and anesthesia.
The overall risk of this surgery is low. The major risks are those of general anesthesia, bleeding (hemorrhage), postoperative infection and wound breakdown (dehiscence) over the incision. Overall complication rate is low, but serious complications can result in the need for additional surgery or the loss of one or both ears. Hearing is not affected.
Post-operative medication may be given to relieve pain, which is judged in most cases to be mild to moderate and can be effectively eliminated with safe and effective pain medicines. Home care requires reduced activity and daily monitoring of the bandages for moisture, discharge or slippage. The bandages will need to be examined by your veterinarian every week and replaced as needed. These bandages will be kept on until the ears stand erect, which can take 6-8 weeks. The longer the ear is after surgery, the longer it will take to heal and stay erect. Any concerns about the bandages should prompt a call to your veterinarian.
The typical stay following an ear cropping is ½ to 1 day but varies depending on the overall health of the dog.
Choosing an Ear Crop Style
Different Styles of Cropped Ears
Along with the many different breeds that are acceptably ear cropped, different ear cropping styles exist. The four ear cropping styles are as follows, from the shortest to the tallest ear crop:
• Battle Crop — This is the shortest available ear crop. Since this is such as low cut it will not allow for protection from dirt and insects.
• Short Crop — This ear cropping is a little longer than that of the battle crop. There is only about two thirds of the original ear left.
• Show Crop — This medium crop that is a little longer and taller than the show crop. This is the most requested ear cropping for show dogs. It gives off an alert look. This crop is the one which requires the most attention and time.You will spend more time wrapping and posting the ears than with others since there is a higher risk of the ears not correctly standing.
• Long Crop — The long crop is the longest ear cropping that can be done. It only leaves three quarters of the original ear. This is available for pit bulls.
Currently, the most common ear crop styles are the short and show styles.
It’s important to choose an ear crop style before you go looking for a vet, because some vets will only perform one style of crop.
There are four main crop styles for American Pit Bull Terriers & American Bullies:
Short crops and show crops have the greatest chance of standing erect. Ears that are cropped too long, or too short, are less likely to stand erect.
When a dog’s ears are cropped too short, they are more likely to lay flat on the dog’s head.
When a dog’s ears are cropped too long, the cartilage within pinna may be too thin to support the weight of the ear.
After the Procedure
Your vet may keep your dog overnight, or you might be able to take them home the same day. They should also provide you with pain medication, so make sure to ask for some if they forget. The vet will also attach some kind of foam support or plastic rack to your dog’s ears before sending them home.
Your dog will definitely be out-of-sorts for a night or two. The anesthetic will make them drowsy, and their ears may be sore. If it looks like your pup is in pain, give them some pain medication—after all, that’s what it’s for.
Aftercare Tips
1) Follow the Vet’s Instructions.
This should go without saying, but make sure to follow all your vet’s instructions! Your dog has just had surgery, and it’s important to do everything you can to help them heal properly.
2) Use the Cone.
You can remove the cone from your dog as long as you are supervising them, but put the cone back on whenever you’re not watching. The cone is there to prevent your pup from ripping their stitches, which is very important to the proper healing process.
3) Keep the Ears Clean.
You need to keep the skin clean until it’s had a chance to heal. This is important in preventing infections that could require an emergency trip to the vet. Use peroxide and Neosporin at least 2 or 3 times a day.
4) Remove scabs.
When you were a kid, your mother may have told you not to pick at scabs. Well that might be good advice for yourself, but when it comes to cropping ears, you want to remove any scabs on your dog’s ears immediately.
This is important because the scabs could interfere with the ears properly standing up.
The best way to remove these scabs is to soak them in water for 5 minutes first, to soften them up and make them easier/less painful to pick off.
5) Watch for Infections.
Whenever you wash your dog’s ears (you are cleaning them 2-3 times a day, right?), be on the lookout for signs of infection. This could come in the form of redness, swelling, pain, or red streaks extending away from the affected area. If you see any signs of infection, take your dog back to the vet right away for treatment.
6) Nourish Your Dog Through a Healthy Diet.
Finally, make sure your dog is eating well and getting all the essential nutrients they need to recover properly.
Ear cropping surgery
During the cropping surgery, the vet makes an opening and cuts each ear. This starts from the top and goes to the bottom of the ear. This will give the ear a pointed look. This is not the end. The rest completely depends on the owner.
When the vet is finished with the cut, a kind of rack that is made usually out of aluminum is used to lengthen the ears and hold them to erect. After stitches are in the dog’s ears, they are securely taped. The owners should expect the dog to stay with the vet for the next night or two to make sure nothing serious occurs (infections.)
General anesthesia is used to block the pain. Some vets will give pain meds after the surgery if the puppy visibly experiences discomfort. Some dogs will even have phantom pain from the missing appendage just like humans do.
Ear cropping aftercare tips
The first week after surgery is vital for the puppy. Since cropping is usually done between 8 and 12 weeks the puppy will usually experience distress from the procedure. E-collars or elizabethan collars are commonly used to keep the puppy from scratching and messing with his ears, which can consequently result into more stress. Constant monitoring is needed as the racks on the puppy’s ears are far from comfortable and the puppy could hit or rub his head against things which will just further the pain.
Dr. Bill’s Method of Ear Taping/Posting
PREPARING THE POSTS
On a clean surface, fold out the 3×3 Gauze Pads in half, depending on the size of your puppy, you may need as many as three pads to achieve the correct size of the post. It should be big enough around to fit inside the ear.
Lay out the straw in the center of the gauze pads, leaving about three quarters of one inch of gauze on one end. This is the part that will sit in the cradle of the ear, so it is important that the gauze extends the straw. Now put a piece of tape, about five inches long directly over the straw, this holds the straw in place as you prepare the post.
Now roll the gauze and the straw into a tube. Starting at the bottom of the tube, begin wrapping the tape around the gauze making sure that you leave three quarters of a inch of exposed gauze on the end. This will be the “cushion” which sits in the bottom of the ear canal. As you reach the top of the gauze, twist the tape, so you can now “Back-Tape” the tube from top to bottom.
“Back-Taping” is simply reversing the tape so that the “sticky” side is now out. When you reach the bottom of the tape on the tube, cut off the tape and secure the end to the post.
For right now you should have a post that is very sticky and looks something like this, don’t worry about the length of the straw; you will cut it to fit, later in the process. Obviously, you will have to repeat this step so that you will have a post for each ear, and then you will be ready to apply the post to your pup’s ears.
APPLYING THE POSTS
Having your assistant hold the puppy’s head, take one of the posts and insert it down into the pup’s ear. As always be very careful, but be sure to get the post all the way down into the ear. The soft gauze tip will sit in the bottom of the ear and protect it. Once the post is in place, gently wrap the ear around the post and begin taping as close to the base of the ear as you can get. Wrap the first piece, usually about five inches long, by first adhering it to the sticky part of the post, then wrapping in a clockwise manner around the bottom of the ear. This part requires a little bit of practice. It’s important to have the tape tight enough to secure the ear, but not too tight to hinder circulation. The tape DOES NOT have to be tight, just stuck to the ear.
Now wrap another five-inch piece of tape, in the same manner, around the top of the ear. Same rules apply in terms of tightness. Now simply repeat the process for the remaining ear.
COMPLETING THE POST
Now the “figure-eight” which holds the two ears together, and provides the stability for the Post. Take your tape and ”rip” a piece about one quarter inch wide, and about two feet long. I find that it is best to reserve a roll of tape specifically for this, as you can continue to “rip” strips from it.
Starting at the bottom of either ear, stick one end of the strip to the tape on the pup’s ear, and begin wrapping around both ears in a “figure-eight” motion. Have your assistant hold both ears up, and then “relax” them slightly, as this is the position that you want the ears to remain at after the post is applied. You will continue taping around both ears with the strip until you have reached the end.
Now take a piece of tape, about two inches long, and wrap it around the “figure-eight” between the ears.
This will prevent the tape from sticking to the puppy’s head. Final step, cut the top of the straw, just above the top of the ear. This method provides a lightweight yet sturdy post for the Cropped Ears.
When you notice the post is loosening or becomes wet, you can replace it easily. vets have experienced great success with this method, and without messy liquid adhesives, bulky, protruding apparatus, and as little disruption to the puppy’s normal activities.
NB-
Madras High Court Confirms Ban on Tail-Docking, Ear-Cropping Mutilations of Dogs
While hearing an appeal filed by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), in which PETA India filed an intervention application, the Madras High Court confirmed a ban on cruel cosmetic procedures such as tail-docking and ear-cropping in puppies and dogs. After hearing the counsel appearing for the parties – who informed the court that, in view of the enactment of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Dog Breeding and Marketing) Rules, 2017, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2018, such commonly practised unnecessary mutilations are prohibited by law – the court disposed of the appeal, which had become infructuous in view of the enactment of these Rules.
Previously, PETA India had sent letters to numerous Indian veterinary regulatory bodies, including the Veterinary Council of India, state veterinary councils, central and state animal-husbandry departments, veterinary colleges and universities, and veterinarians’ associations, as well as the AWBI – a statutory body established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 – urging them to implement and enforce the ban on the cosmetic tail-docking and ear-cropping of dogs as per the 2017 and 2018 Rules.
The cruel procedures were originally banned by the Veterinary Council of India in 2011 following an advisory issued by the AWBI explaining that non-therapeutic tail-docking and ear-cropping mutilations amount to cruelty to animals under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and that performing these procedures is therefore a punishable offence. Maiming dogs also violates Section 429 of the Indian Penal Code. Nevertheless, the Madras High Court overturned the ban in 2013. The AWBI filed an appeal against this order, which has now been disposed of by the court. Although these Rules have been challenged before the High Court of Delhi, the Madras High Court, and the Supreme Court of India because of the vested interests of breeders and pet shops, no interim stay has been granted to the petitioners, and the provisions of the Rules remain in force. In fact, the challenge to the 2017 Rules before the Rajasthan High Court was dismissed in May 2018.
Ear-cropping, or cutting off a portion of a dog’s ears, even when performed under general anaesthesia by a veterinarian, causes post-surgery pain and psychological trauma and can lead to complications such as infection. After the procedure, the cropped ears are taped and re-taped to try to force them into a pointed shape, causing the dogs further distress. Some breeders take matters into their own hands and use scissors or a blade to cut dogs’ ears without pain relief. Even when done by veterinarians, tail-docking is usually performed on puppies with scissors or a scalpel and without pain relief. As an alternative, breeders often use a ring to cut off the blood supply to the tail so that it eventually falls off.
Those who perform these procedures disregard how essential these body parts are to dogs – they use their tails for balance and their ears and tails to communicate with their human guardians and other dogs.
Ear-cropping is also banned in Australia, New Zealand, many countries in Europe, and most Canadian provinces, and tail-docking is prohibited in Australia, Iceland, Israel, South Africa, and elsewhere.
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