Ear Cropping Tools

According to Pet Place, ear cropping is a procedure in which a part of a puppy or dog's ear is removed for the purposes of causing the ear to stand up. The procedure is performed most commonly on puppies between the ages of two and three months, as the remaining cartilage in their ear is more pliable and more easily trained to stand up in the desired erect ear fashion. Several tools are used in ear cropping.

  1. Anesthesia

    • Anesthesia is administered to ensure that the operation goes smoothly and painlessly for the puppy. General anesthetic is used to render the puppy unconscious, relax the puppy's body and help control pain. Before the surgery, a sedative may be administered to help calm the dog, and during the procedure an inhalation anesthesia is administered through a mask.

    Scissors

    • Ear cropping scissors are blunt-tipped scissors with very sharp blades that are used to cut and shape the dog's ear. The blunt tips on these scissors will not damage the puppy's ear by jabbing them accidentally. Their heavy blades allow them make clean cuts.

    Scalpel

    • Scalpels may be used as an alternative to the scissors to allow for a more controlled cut. Ask the veterinarian what instruments he uses and what kind of results he has had with them.

    Laser

    • A laser may be used to crop the dog's ear. According to the Cupertino Animal Hospital and Surgical Laser Center, the laser cauterizes the wound as it cuts and there will be no bleeding afterward. This leads to less pain, faster healing and less trauma overall than what would be experienced if a scalpel or scissors were used.

    Bandaging

    • After the surgery, bandages and foam are used to force the puppy's ears to stand up. These bandages are changed regularly, but the puppy must wear them for six to eight weeks to train the ears to stand upright. The longer the ears, the more time is required to train them to stand upright.