Ear Cropping Care

[Vintage Boxers]

I don't let the vet cup, as i like to see the ears and stretch them up onto the cup myself.

Then i cut the sock to fit, goop up the ear with neosporin (anti itch formula), i then reapply each time the ointment is dry. WHen you peel the sock off, the soft scabs come off as well.

After the stitches are out i don't put the sock on as i want the edges to be completely open, so i either leavethem w/o the cup or cut a hole in the side of the sock. (the sock keeps the cup even more stable during silly behavior) Then when the edges are completely healed, its stretching to post!

[fairview Boxers]

Is the ear just taped on the cup, or is it glued to the cup?  I used to have the skin bond glue but let someone use it and didn't get it back or they used it all   I thought about using the moleform method of a stay when this tape falls off...

[RocketBoxer]

Is the ear just taped on the cup, or is it glued to the cup?  I used to have the skin bond glue but let someone use it and didn't get it back or they used it all   I thought about using the moleform method of a stay when this tape falls off...

I just tape the ear to the cup. I think it is easier to get off. I have decided I don't like using glue much.

[Vintage Boxers]

I use tape for the cup. And then with posts i use the tear mender glue

[BurningRiver]

Be careful with the sock--those edges need air.

Honestly, if they get the cups off, I let them flop till they're healed. Ears aren't going to stand until they're done teething anyway.

After Hutch crops my ears, he tapes the front parts of the ears to a styrofoam cup. Then, they wrap it with Vetrap, which (I believe) is supposed to stay on for the first couple of days. Then we take the Vetrap off, and let the ears air with the cup till the edges are healed. After they're healed, the cup comes off and the stitches and staples (the bell) come out. I usually take the stitch out myself, because, at that point, the stitch usually gets pretty loose (and I worry about them catching it and ripping it out), but I obviously take them to the vet to have staples removed.

After that, it's fun with caulk backer rod and tape for us.

[Rob T]

Wow, lots of good info here, but it also sounds more involved than I thought it might be.

[fairview Boxers]

Well, last night I decided to cup Edward and Bella... I hated cleaning them with just their ears taped above their heads....  SO, I made cups, LOL...  I leave the socks off if I am home (which I only work one day a week now), and leave it open otherwise except at nights...  This AM, I took the socks off and EWWWW loose scabs off Edward and Bella...  Alice's ears look really good, but this am, she broke one of her stiches when I was cleaning her ears...  I don't think it will pose a problem this is day 7 for her....  Her ears are healing REALLY nicely, and there is barely any scabs to pull on her.. 
Edwards one ear is a little swollen, but no yucky's coming from it, and the sutures look good... if it isn't  better by tomorrow night, I am going to take him in... He and Bella are on Amoxi three times per day, and I am loading their ears with ABI ointment three times per day...
We don't have any staples, just stiches on all three.  Alice's are looking REALLY good, but like I said they are a week old now... Dr. Molesworth did a totally different stich on Edward and Bella, and it looks totally different, so it will be interesting to see if there is a difference between the finished ears...

[whitepupzoe]

Can't wait to see them! hint hint!   

[Rob T]

So is using Neosporin on the edges of the ears a good idea?  Is it ok to put the sock back on over the ear while still wet with the Neosporin?

[BurningRiver]

I have no experience with this sock method, but personally, I would never cover the ears while they're healing. If they need neosporin, they should not be covered, IMO. Covering them will inhibit healing, promote infection and encourage bacterial growth. IMO, they shouldn't be covered.

[Rob T]

I have no experience with this sock method, but personally, I would never cover the ears while they're healing. If they need neosporin, they should not be covered, IMO. Covering them will inhibit healing, promote infection and encourage bacterial growth. IMO, they shouldn't be covered.

Thanks for the quick reply.

How do you tell if he "needs" Neosporin?

He has the sock on, and the problem is that he scratches at his ears with his hind legs a lot.  It seems that he would do a real number on the stitches if the sock wasn't there to protect them.

[BurningRiver]

If there's an open edge, I use Neosporin.

[BurningRiver]

Regarding the scratching, my vet trims the nails way back and cauterizes them while they're under for the crop, so they can't really do much damage. I do discourage scratching, however. When I can't discourage scratching, I use an e-collar (but I've rarely had to use one). I also feel that keeping Neosporin on them reduces the itchiness.

[Rob T]

I see.  So in my situation you would recommend the collar instead of a sock I assume (too late to trim the nails all the way back)?

[BurningRiver]

Yes, because it allows air to get to the ear.