EAR TAPING # 9

Purchase the large (probably 3 x 4 or 3 x 5) Telfa *Non-Stick* pads. After the vet crops the ears, put a bead of triple antibiotic along the cut edge. Take the Telfa pad, turn it so that it looks like a kite and place it on the ears taping it loosely with masking tape. Twenty-four to forty eight hours later remove the Telfa pad and the edges of the ears are perfect. 

When the puppies recover from the anesthesia they tend to scratch at their ears and shake their heads.  This method protects the ears. 

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EAR TAPING #10

This method of taping ears is so very simple and yet it is somewhat of a daunting one. It certainly is NOT for the faint of heart. However, Jude swears by it and has certainly made her partner Sue Brown a believer....

After cropping lay the ears flat over the top of the head. Put a little Skin Bond surgical glue on top of the bottom ear (staying well away from the cut edge of course), lay the other ear over it and hold it for a few minutes until the glue has set. When the ears start to heal they may come apart and if they do simply leave them hang or glue them back again. They do become very crusty and curled but Judy never removes the crusties or puts anything on the ears. When the stitches are removed the ears are left as they are until well healed. Once the bases are well healed she uses rolled napkins or tampax, reverse taped of course.

Put the plug of your preference deep into the ear. Pull the crimped ear as straight as you can from the tip. Make sure the plug is way down into the ear so that it can't pop out. Apply the one-inch tape from the base to the tip of the ear. Using a long strip of tape, apply the brace at head level from one ear around the back and front to the other ear and squeeze it together in the middle Leave up for three to four days, no more than that. Take down and *Most* ears will be standing PERFECTLY STRAIGHT.  

If the ears drop in a couple of days or at teething, DO NOT re-post using plugs or anything else. Simply put a strip of one inch tape at the base of each ear (not all the way up) once around and leave on for three days. If both ears should fall (which is highly unusual) do the same for both but make certain that you  apply a brace. 

The only time that Judy or Sue will re-plug is if an ear leans over the head or has a deep dimple in it. The only way that a dimple might occur is if a plug comes out of the ear during the first taping. 

According to Judy and Sue all that is ever required are a couple of tapings. Also, the ears apparently DO NOT crinkle or cauliflower.

As always, use whatever method suits you best. Like the various dog foods, if it works for you, use it...

submitted courtesy of Judy Doniere, Toledobes, USA

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CORRECTING “TIPPING” PROBLEMS (Ears tipping or bending in toward the inside)

I use the Breathe Right Nasal strips (large size). These can be found at most drugstores and places like Walmart. Trim the hair on the inside of the ear using a #30 or #40 blade in your clippers. 2.Take a large nasal strip, remove the backing and coat the adhesive side with Skin Bond. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes in order for the glue to firm up a little. Stick the nasal strip vertically, starting at the very tip of the ear and in the middle, allowing it to go as far down the inside of the ear flap as the strip will permit. (there is no bending it over or folding it around the ear; just one strip on the inside of the ear from the tip down). Depending on the length of the dog’s ears you may need to go one size larger or smaller in addition to your first strip. Change the strips every 2 – 3 days, when they fall off or are loosened or scratched off, whatever comes first.

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CLEANING THE EARS

• blunt nosed hemostats hydrogen peroxide 
• 2 x 2 sponge squares 
• mini flashlight 

Cut the 2 x 2 sponges into quarters (they grab the wax better than cotton balls and don’t leave cotton fuzz to clean out). Take one of the squares (cut into ¼), wad it up and clamp it into the hemostats. Dip this in peroxide and squeeze out. Hold the mini flashlight in your mouth so that you can see inside the ear thus allowing you to locate the wax and dirt in the ear and it’s folds, and simply pull it out. DO NOT slant the hemostat towards the nose or you will enter the ear canal.

submitted courtesy of Sam Moceri, Absolut, USA

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PROTECTING THE CUPS

If you use the cup method here is a little secret aide for you. Buy large men's tube socks, cut them up the middle leaving approximately 5 inches at the toe. Put the toe part over the cup using the dangling pieces to tie around the puppies' necks. It looks like a little bonnet and acts as a buffer against dirt and flies getting at the cut edge of the ear. This allows the puppies to play with each other without any damage to their ears.

courtesy of Carolyn Irvine, Royolyn, Canada

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Take a strip of Duct Tape - Yes Duct Tape - needs to be about an inch longer than the ear.  Spray the glue side with an ether product - found at the auto store or dept. We use carburetor starter fluid.  Let the tape get tacky about 30 seconds.  Press onto the inside of the ear starting just above the base.  As you press into the ear - keep stretching the tape and bend away from where the ear is bending.  If the ear is bending severely - place a breath-rite strip on top of the duct tape for support.  Trim excess tape around the ear. If more support is needed.  Try using 2 pieces of Duct Tape with a popsicle stick in between for support.

courtesy of Karen Churchill , a boxer breeder

submitted by Cathy Spears, Pentastar Dobermans & Boxers, USA