If you have selected to have your puppies ears cropped or are considering it, please give this articular a quick read.
This is a crucial time for your puppy. Frequent monitoring is necessary during this time.
If you see your puppy aggressively scratching at ears strongly discourage it. If you cannot keep him from scratching or rubbing his ears against things, a cone or e collar may be necessary.
You need to keep the skin clean until it’s had a chance to heal. This is important in preventing infections that could require an emergency trip to the vet. Use peroxide and Sulfodene Brand 3-Way Ointment for Dogs at least 2 or 3 times a day.
When it comes to cropping ears, you want to remove any scabs on your dog’s ears immediately. This is important because the scabs could interfere with the ears properly standing up. The best way to remove these scabs is to soak them in water for 5 minutes first, to soften them up and make them easier/less painful to pick off.
Whenever you wash your dog’s ears, be on the lookout for signs of infection. This could come in the form of redness, swelling, pain, or red streaks extending away from the affected area. If you see any signs of infection, take your dog to the vet right away for treatment.
If stitches split, the ears should still be ok as long as there is no infection or swelling. If swelling occurs, take your puppy to the vet.
Roughly 2 weeks from the time of cropping stitches should start to work themselves out. Take a small nail clipper or a tiny pair of scissors to start cutting pieces of visible stitching. If you see a knot in stitching, try to cut it off first.
If you are not comfortable with removing stitches, the vet should be able to help you.
As your puppy gets older remember to massage them in an erect direction, to encourage standing. if ears do not stand, ask your local vet about having them taped.