How long do the cups stay on?
- The cups stay on until the sutures are removed.
How long do the sutures stay in?
- Sutures are removed after ears have healed. Usually in 10 to 14 days.
Do I need to bring the dog back here to have the stitches removed?
- You do not need to return to us to have the sutures out if you or your regular veterinarian feels comfortable removing them.
When can I bathe the dog?
- Bathe your pup anytime as long as the sutured edge of the ears and cap do not get wet.
How do I clean the ears?
- Do not clean the incision. You can clean the area around the incision. This is because if you remove the healed edge (the scab), another scab will have to form and this will slow the healing process.
Can I put ointment on the ears?
- Yes. Be gentle and use Animax or OxyFresh gel.
They are still bleeding. What do I do?
- Leave the ears alone and put the pup where he cannot hit the ears on anything when he shakes his head. Then call us at Biltmore Veterinary Clinic at 828-277-6823, or Dr. Bill directly at 828-606-4259.
What happens once the cups or foam come off?
- Leave the ears open to the air and let the suture holes heal. This will take 2 to 3 days.
Do the ears need to be taped?
- Most breeds will need to be taped. Some exceptions may be Pit Bulls, Schnauzers, Min-Pins, etc.
Do I need to bring the dog back here to have the ears taped?
- Not if you know how to tape them yourself. It is also acceptable to have someone in your area, that you trust, do the taping.
Can I give anything to the dog for discomfort?
- If deemed necessary, we will provide you with something for the pain for three days. Give it as directed on the bottle.
Any restrictions on activities? How long?
- No restrictions as long as your pup can’t get its head piece caught or hung up on anything. Keep a good eye on him.
Why is there a bandage at the top of the cup and what do I do with it?
- We have placed a bandage at the top of the cup to cushion the ears if the pup hits them on anything. Make sure to remove this bandage after 24 hours.
Why is there tape on the front legs?
- Your pup has dewclaws which were not removed. They are like the dog’s “thumbs”. When he paws at his head, the dewclaws could get caught in the pup cap. Also, several layers of tape on that area will take his mind off the cap and onto his feet. If these are chewed off, replace with medical wrap, but never pull it tight.
What can I do if the pup paws at his ears with his rear feet?
- Tape that foot or feet with medical wrap or put a sock on the foot.
How are the ears taped?
- There are numerous ways to tape ears. A lot of breeders, especially dog show people, have published their methods on the internet. However, Dr. Bill tapes them different ways depending on how the ears are arching up, etc. Dr. Bill will take out the sutures at no charge as well as provide one free taping. After that, tapings are $18 each, which will need to be done at least every 2 to 2 ½ weeks.
How long is the taping process?
- This depends on the ear length, the quality of the cartilage, and how good the ears are set on the head. The taping period could range from several weeks to several months.
Does my pup need an e-collar?
- Not as a rule. For one thing, the collar will rub the ear edges as well as the cap. Next, it will make your pup fight the cap and collar even more because the rubbing of the collar hurts the pup.
Is it ok to touch my dog’s ears after surgery?
- Try not to touch them. Some people like to clean the ear area daily (see #5). The ears are usually sore to the touch. Doing this can make the pup head shy which can be a problem in the future.
Does the pup stay overnight?
- No. He will usually be ready to go home in about 4 hours.
My pup sleeps a lot after surgery. Is this normal?
- Yes. As with people, animals are usually tired after any surgical procedure.
Do the ears swell?
- Just a small amount. Sometimes at the base (lowest point) serum and/or a blood clot will form. This will go away and should not cause concern.
Do I really want my dog’s ears trimmed?
- This is an important question because some people do not realize that just because the ears are trimmed does not mean they will stand. Some dogs inherit good ear leather (cartilage) as well as small ears with a good location on the head (earset). If the ears are small, set high, and not cut too long, they will stand much easier. Taping keeps the cartilage straight until it hardens and also helps to train the muscles. The longer the ear trim, the longer the time that the ears will have to be taped. Anyone can trim a short ear and get it to stand. Dr. Bill likes to have good communication with you, the owner, and create ears you will be proud to have on your dog.
