While theres a lot of information out there about the cropping procedure, there isn’t all too much about the healing process and aftercare. So let’s cover that in detail here.
This article covers everything you need to know about looking after your Doberman’s ears post surgeory.
Best answer: It can take several weeks for a Doberman’s ears to FULLY heal after cropping. Still, each dog has a slightly different healing period depending on a handful of factors.
Doberman Ear Cropping Aftercare
It can take several weeks for a Doberman’s ears to heal after they have been surgically cropped. The exact length of time will depend on the specific circumstances of the surgery and the individual dog’s healing process.
After the surgery, the ears will be bandaged and may need to be kept dry. The bandages will need to be changed regularly, and the ears will need to be cleaned and dressed with an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
It goes without saying that it’s important to follow the instructions of the veterinarian to ensure that the ears heal properly.
It is also important to keep the dog from scratching or rubbing the ears, as this can cause the healing process to be delayed or the stitches to become disrupted. In some cases, a cone or collar may be used to prevent the dog from reaching its ears.
Why Does Ear Cropping Take So Long to Heal?
The reason it takes several weeks for a Doberman’s ears to heal after they have been surgically cropped is because the procedure involves cutting off a portion of the ear and reshaping the remaining tissue.
The ears will then need time to heal and for the remaining tissue to grow and reshape.
The procedure it’s self is quite significant, removing a substation portion of the ear. The regrowth of tissue simply takes a long time.
7 Basic Tips to Help a Doberman’s Ear Heal
7 helpful tips to ensure your Dobie’s ears recover as quickly as possible without issues.
1. Follow the instructions of the veterinarian:
It is important to follow the veterinarian’s instructions for caring for the ears after the surgery. This may include changing bandages, cleaning the ears, and applying antibiotic ointment.
2. Keep the ears clean:
The ears should be kept clean to prevent infection. This may involve gently cleaning the ears with a mild, non-irritating solution and patting them dry.
3. Keep the ears dry:
The ears should be kept dry to prevent infection and to ensure the tape stick to the ears properly when the re-taping happens!
This may involve using a drying solution or keeping the ears covered with a bandage.
If your Dobie regularly has wet ears during the healing process there’s a good chance that they fail to stand properly.
4. Avoid playing excessively
It’s crucial to keep your Dobie calm during the healing process. Too much rambunctious play or rough housing can damage the ears, snag the stiching, or mess up the post-op taping.
Yes, it’s still important for your pup to receive some excerise, it’s just important to keep it controlled and safe.
5. Protect the ears from damage:
The ears should be protected from damage during the healing process. This may involve using a cone or collar to prevent the dog from scratching or rubbing the ears.
6. Monitor the healing process:
It is important to monitor the healing process and to look for any signs of infection or other problems.
If the ears appear to be red or swollen, or if the dog seems to be in pain, it is important to contact the veterinarian for further evaluation and treatment.
7. Prevent them from scratching
Healing ears can be quite itchy, but the last thing we need is our Dobies scratching them!
Not only could this snag the stitching, but it could remove the tape, or damage the healing wound.
You can try using a cone, or a veterinarian approved ASPIRIN to reduce the itchiness. Only specific types of ASPIRIN are okay, as some are toxic. Please consult your vet.
When Are The Stitches Removed From Cropped Ears
In most cases Dobermans will have two sets of stitches (sutures) that need to be removed at different times post-op.
The first set of stictches are usually removed at around 7 days post-op. These are the stitches from the mid ear to the top.
Then your Dobie will need to go back in another 3 or 4 days to have the second set removed. These stitches are located at the base.
Your veterinarian will then re-tap your Dobies ears to keep them in the correct position while the rest of the healing completes.
Extra info: PetMD Ear Cropping