Southern California Ear Cropping Specialists
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Ear Cropping is a surgical procedure performed on over 20 breeds of dogs, such as Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Boxers, Schnauzers, and Pit Bull Terriers. Ear cropping is not a simple surgical procedure, but a major one, which involves placing the puppy under general anesthesia for about 1 1/2 hours. After surgery there is an aftercare period which involves both the hospital staff and the pet's owner.
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Corrective otoplasties and ear croppings are medical and cosmetic surgical procedures of the ear. Ear cropping surgeries are typically performed on over 20 breeds of dogs and a variety of cats. Ear cropping in cats is done as a surgical treatment for cancers of the ear.
The surgeries involve the reshaping, sculpturing, and contouring of the outer ear flap or pinna of the ear to achieve an erect standing ear, properly balanced and proportioned to the pet's confirmation.
While most dog owners opt to have this surgery for aesthetic reasons, the patient fortunately benefits from the additional medical benefits accompanying the surgery.
Most veterinarians would agree that the incidence of ear infections in breeds with erect standing ears is far less than in breeds with droopy, pendulous ears.
As an experienced practitioner personally involved with over 30,000 medical and surgical cases of the ear, I can unequivocally support this claim.
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Erect standing ears are a function of the strength of the auricular muscles and auricular cartilage involved with the outer ear. Ear cropping shapes the ear, and at the same time lightens the ear, making it easier for the muscles to pull the ear erect and cartilage to support the ear.
History, breeding and genetics have dictated which breeds ears can be successfully cropped. Spaniel, Hounds, Retrievers, and Poodles are examples of dogs whose weak ear muscles and cartilage have never been bred for ear strength. These breeds with pendulous ears are notorious for developing painful, chronic ear infections; rarely seen in dogs with erect standing ears like Dobermans, Schnauzers, Great Danes, and German Shepherds.
 "Hamlet" Harvest Keyline Keeping Time International and American Champion Multiple Best of Breed Multiple Best Opposites |
 "Pumpkin" Harvest Keyline Keepsake International and American Champion Best in Show Multiple Best of Breed Multiple Best Opposites |
 "Ivy" |
 "Topper" Harvest Leading Lady |
The Ear Cropping Surgery
Ear cropping and corrective otoplasties are major surgical procedures, and are as safe and as humane as any other elective surgical procedure when done correctly by an experienced, licensed veterinary surgeon in a hospital environment.
These surgeries should not be performed by laypersons, breeders, dog handlers, or pet store personnel. It is illegal for laypersons to perform surgeries and these persons should be reported to the proper authorities.
Many breeders support these laypersons and attempt to justify their actions by their lower fees. Unfortunately, the patient suffers without the benefit of proper anesthesia and medications.
Ear cropping under these improper conditions is resulting in animal rights groups attempting to ban ear cropping. These groups should concentrate their efforts to stop the layperson from performing their razor blade surgeries, and educate people to modern veterinary medicine.
Ear cropping surgeries using today's modern medicine is far removed from the ear cropping of two to three decades ago.
The surgery is optimal performed between 7-16 weeks of age and varies with different breeds (see sidebar). Care after the surgery involves support tapings until the muscles and cartilage of the ear develops the strength necessary to tallow the ears to stand erect.
The Ear Cropping Surgeon
The surgery should only be performed by an experienced, licensed veterinarian in a hospital environment. A veterinarian must posses the artistic abilities of a plastic surgeon, the knowledge of breed confirmation, offer the latest in medical technology, and the be most concerned about patient comfort.
The pet owner should be diligent in the selection of a veterinary surgeon, and request that today's most advanced techniques in veterinary medicine be utilized for the safety and comfort of the patient.
Patient Safety and Comfort During the Ear Cropping Process
The patient's safety and comfort is our primary concern.
We always recommend a Pre-Operative Blood Screen prior to the general anesthetic to evaluate the patient's internal organs.
We recommend the use of the state-of-the-art gas anesthesia, Isoflurane, most often utilized by human anesthesiologists for its safety and short acting nature.
We recommend that our patients be catheterized with an Intravenous Catheter allowing Continuous Intravenous Fluids during the anesthesia and surgery.
And most importantly, we recommend Pain Medications be administered during surgical recovery and post operatively; and that Tape Remover Solvents be used during the aftercare tapings for the comfort of the patient.
When these Safety & Comfort items are employed, ear cropping surgeries and corrective otoplasties are no more traumatic, harmful, or inhumane than any other type of general surgery.
Ear cropping and corrective otoplasty can be viewed as aesthetic, cosmetic surgery with definite medical advantages. When properly performed as outlined in this article, the surgeries are safe and humane.