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Jurnal 3 PDF
Jurnal 3 PDF
Jurnal 3 PDF
1970
Recommended Citation
Schipper, Darwin (1970) "Canine Ear Trimming," Iowa State University Veterinarian: Vol. 32 : Iss. 2 , Article 5.
Available at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/iowastate_veterinarian/vol32/iss2/5
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Canine Ear Trimming
By
Darwin Schipper*
Many of todays veterinarians have re- should be given a thorough physical ex-
fused to do canine ear trims even when amination. It should be free of severe
requested to do so by a client. The reasons parasitism and infectious disease and
for refusal are many and varied. Most be in a good state of nutrition. It is also
veterinarians were never taught the pro- important that the dog be at the proper
cedure while in school and have therefore age, as the ear gets "meaty" as the animal
never tried the surgery. Some veterinar- ages, and the cartilage is no longer grow-
ians who know the procedure and have ing.
done ear trims still refuse to do them be- The breeds of dogs in which ears are
cause of the extreme value of an animal most often trimmed and the proper age
or because they are afraid of the conse- for trimming are listed below.
quences of a bad ear trim. The dog with
an ugly ear trim is very poor advertising 1. Great Dane 8-10 weeks
for the surgical skill of a veterinarian. 2. Boxer 8-12 weeks
There are very few fundamentals neces- 3. Doberman Pincher 8-12 weeks
sary for performing a beautiful ear trim. 4. Schnauzer 10-12 weeks
Before trying any ear trims one should be- 5. English Bull Terrier 2-6 months
come familiar with the ear trimming 6. Staffordshire 2-4 months
styles which are in vogue for each breed. 7. Brussels Griffon 2-3 months
This appreciation can be gained by attend- 8. Boston Terrier 5-8 months
ing dog shows or looking in the various 9. Manchester Terrier 8 months
dog magazines. It is also advisable to
begin by trimming house dogs and pets Pre/Hlration of Dog for Surgery
rather than some valuable show dog. One
should also be aware of state laws con- Ear trimming is done under general
cerning ear trimming. At the present time, anesthesia. The dog should be given 'a
the state of Massachusetts prohibits ear suitable pre-anesthetic plus atropine. The
trims on dogs. barbiturates are the anesthetic of choice
A good ear trim should look natural on because gas anesthesia apparatus may in-
the dog, just as if it had grown that way. terfere with proper movement of the head
The ear should be free of scarring and while the surgery is being performed.
should have smooth contours rather than Place a pledget of cotton in each ear to
jutting angles. keep the canal free of blood and disinfect-
Before trimming the ears, the dog ant. The ears should be shaved on both
sides with a straight edge razor. Wash
the ears with soap and water, rinse, and
• Mr. Schipper is a junior in the College of Veteri·
nary Medicine. Iowa State University. Ames. Iowa. disinfect with suitable disinfectant. Ether
• The author wishes to acknowledge the help of
Dr. Elroy C. Jensen in preparing this paper. His should be used to defat the ear so that
knowled!;c and con,iderable experience were largely
responsible for the text of this paper. proper marking can be done on the ear.