Ear Cropping Home Care

Your pet has recently undergone major surgery to trim (“crop”) the ears for cosmetic reasons.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia with the CO2 laser. In this procedure, the ears are trimmed to breed standards. This is typically a very straightforward surgery. Occasionally, however, complications (such as increased bleeding) can occur.

In our observations, pets who receive post-operative pain relief seem to feel much better the next day. They eat more and they eat sooner, and therefore they seem to heal faster and return to normal sooner.

Owner cooperation is a must; otherwise the surgery can be an absolute failure. Aftercare is most important for the ears to stand properly. Although many “poor ear trims” are blamed on the surgery, failure of the ears to stand correctly is usually due to a defect in the anatomy of the ear or failure to follow our instructions after suture removal.

Please observe the following instructions:
  • Pup must be separated from ALL other dogs until the ears are standing properly! This may take four (4) weeks to four (4) months.
  • Pup will board with us for ten days post surgery to maintain brace application and manage incisions. 
  • You must keep the ears dry. 
  • Call for an Elizabethan collar if the pup scratches or rubs excessively at the ears. 
NOTE: There is an additional charge for each ear brace application.

Notify the hospital if any of the following complications occur:
  • Vomiting after 24 hours at home.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Refusal to eat after 24 hours at home.
  • Signs of severe pain. (Some mild discomfort is to be expected).
  • Excessive licking or chewing at surgery site.
  • Bleeding or Discharge from the surgery site.
  • Gapping of the wound edges.
  • Your pet acts odd or seems “not right” in any other way.

Despite best efforts, occasionally pets will manage to get their surgical wounds open and infected. This is nearly always due to over activity, and/or excessive scratching at the incision. We make every effort to avoid complications, but surgery complications are always possible with any procedure. Complications might include infection, wound dehiscence (breakdown), or sutures pulled out by the pet. Please contact the hospital at once if you feel your pet may have opened or infected the incision. The incision may or may not need to be re-sutured. Antibiotics may be required. The client is responsible for the cost of all drugs and materials used. THE CLIENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY COMPLICATIONS OF SURGERY, WHICH ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL.