New Posting Technique or Bad News?

[BaronTheRed]

Hi, new member here. This is my 4th doberman but it's been 20+ years since my last dobie...and it was when I was a kid/teenager.

Appreciate all of the great info on this site.

We purchased an 8 week old doberman from a non-breeder. Parents on site, both very healthy, great temperament and cropped/docked.

At 11 weeks our pup had his ears cropped by Dr. Patel in San Dimas, (Southern) California. Patel came highly recommended by breeders and other veterinarians in the area. Pup came home posted/wrapped with a full bonnet (SECOND pic). 10 days later the sutures were removed and the second posting/wrap was done immediately. (THIRD and FOURTH Pic). Now were 7 days since second wrapping or 14 days since sutures removed and I'm at an impasse between continuing with the current vet for wrapping, going to a different vet with a different style, or tying the home wrap with foam backing tubes.

Today, we visited another vet that came highly recommended and he commented he had never seen a post/wrap like my pups. This was NOT a negative comment. He actually praised it and studied it and considered adopting this style, too. He currently uses the backing tubes that are inserted down inside the canal.

If you can't tell from pics. My pup does not have any foam inserts down inside the ear canal. There is foam, round backing but they start much higher and the bridge plus paper neck collar is holding the ears vertical. The surgeon also used the same template he used to cut/shape our pups ears to make a hard/stiff backing insert, put that in his ear first, then inserted the foam tube backing and taped.

Professional subjective/objective thoughts welcome?

Thank you again...i really want to get this right.

Doug

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Welcome!

Cute pups whose ears look like they had some real perk to them in that before-pic.

It's an intriguing setup. The form placed inside the ear is sure to help them stand while in there. I can certainly see how the collar to bridge connection keeps things up and in place, especially from tilting forward. Tilting back though?

A bridge needs to be eliminated as soon as the ears have sufficient muscle control. So that setup would be short lived.

What is the in-ear form made of?

The less tape used, the better. To completely enclose the ears in tape can lead to irritation and infection. So, your pup came home with the incisions fully encased? That's a general no-no, but it looks like you got through the healing stage fine.

Is the idea behind not having posts going fully down into the ear the hope of avoiding irritation from that?

Not being negative here. It is kind of a smart seeming setup.

Best practice, in my opinion, is to have the ears up while the incisions heal, but in a setup that leaves incisions uncovered (as in, the "shriner" look). Then, use full rods and just two pieces of tape per ear, and a bridge for several days. Then ditch the bridge. I'm certainly open minded though and always looking to gain from new ideas and experiences.

I often say: Whatever works for you is all that matters.

 

[Ddski5]

Looks okay, I guess.

Not to be negative- the backerrod method works and is proven countless times, why reinvent the wheel.

Regardless of method you chose, I strongly suggest that you learn to do it yourself. Not only are you up close and personal bonding with your pup but you can monitor the process and adjust if needed.

 

[Panama]

Sounds like Half Posts. Looks like he is handling them well. There is so much info and so many videos on posting, I also strongly suggest you learn to post his ears.

 

[BaronTheRed]

What is the in-ear form made of?
Is the idea behind not having posts going fully down into the ear the hope of avoiding irritation from that?

Good question, i didn't ask but i can certainly find out on Monday.
The idea of leaving the ear hole and that area free from material/tape/etc., was exactly what you say...to aid in healing and avoid irritation.

How will i know, especially if i'm taping them at home, when i don't need to use the bridge? I'm not sure i'll identify when his muscle control is sufficient...signs of this?

thanks again! Appreciate the comments.

Doug

 

[BaronTheRed]

Looks okay, I guess.

Not to be negative- the backerrod method works and is proven countless times, why reinvent the wheel.

Regardless of method you chose, I strongly suggest that you learn to do it yourself. Not only are you up close and personal bonding with your pup but you can monitor the process and adjust if needed.

Not taken in a negative way at all, thank you and i'm leaning toward your suggestion.

 

[BaronTheRed]

Sounds like Half Posts. Looks like he is handling them well. There is so much info and so many videos on posting, I also strongly suggest you learn to post his ears.

Thank you. I've found several "how to" photos and links on this site for home posting. I was apprehensive about doing this in the first 30 days, figured I would let the pros do the first 2 or 3 so my pup is on the right track.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Good question, i didn't ask but i can certainly find out on Monday.
The idea of leaving the ear hole and that area free from material/tape/etc., was exactly what you say...to aid in healing and avoid irritation.

How will i know, especially if i'm taping them at home, when i don't need to use the bridge? I'm not sure i'll identify when his muscle control is sufficient...signs of this?

thanks again! Appreciate the comments.

Doug

Hey. Gotta' get some shuteye here on Eastern time, so I will say something I usually don't say: If you do a search for the word "bridge," or maybe include the word ear or something (so you don't get a bunch of "Rainbow Bridge" stuff) you might find some info.

BTW, your avatar pic is probably the most adorable I've seen!

 

[BaronTheRed]

If you do a search for the word "bridge," or maybe include the word ear or something (so you don't get a bunch of "Rainbow Bridge" stuff) you might find some info.

Will do! Thanks again!

 

[crypticintent]

When it comes to not needing the bridge you'll know. The tape will start slacking because the pup has range of motion so next time you post, Try it without the bridge for a bit. The pup should hold the ears and posts up (if it can't then bridge it)

 

[Ddski5]

Bridge-

Take off when you can identify the pup has ear control. Be mindful that his ears will not stand up all the time, just when he alerts. Yes, they will flop around when he is lax.






I used the bridge, took off, then put back on, took off....etc. for prob 4-5 times. That’s how new I was to the game and how perfect I wanted them to be. But tbh, could have taken them off earlier than I did and would have been alright. Some folks leave on for a longer time but this increase the chances of pockets and you def don’t want this.

Lots of members use a lot less tape than I. Ragnar is just so rough and tumble, that I would tape up to keep his ears as clean as possible. I would change out every 4days max.

 

[crypticintent]

We have gotten really good at minimal tape.

We still post Ezri up, her crop looks too good to let it slide.

 

[Tropicalbri's]

I put the cup on them while sutures were in and for healing post S/R.

You can see the slack in the bridge. This is how you know they no longer need them.


The wrap on the ears was just to keep the tape clean because with two pups they had them dirty within an hour. This way I was able to just change out the vet wrap and put clean on without having to remove the post. Not something I recommend to new people posting ears because you have to be careful using vet wrap as getting it too tight could harm the ears. I just put it on the post (sticky tape side) and then squeezed it in place without stretching it around.

 

[BaronTheRed]

thanks again, everyone. I removed the bridge, and he could easily hold both ears vertical when he wanted and they would flap around when he ran sometimes. But...i was concerned because only the left ear went past vertical. Instead of say 12-o'clock position he was at 2 or 3-o'clock (past vertical) while the right ear was like 10, 11-o'clock if not perfectly straight. So i put another bridge on that held his ears at 10-o'clock. Hope that all makes sense.

The bridge was only off for about 5 or 6 hours. Is the ear going past 12 an issue this early? He's 14 weeks old and had his surgery 3 weeks ago.

Ps., he see's the surgeon/vet in about 2 hours for an evaluation and re-wrap.

DR

 

[BaronTheRed]

Sharing some pics of Baron, taken about 30 minutes ago...

 

[Tropicalbri's]

What a cute pup Baron is. That last picture will melt you’re heart!!

 

[Ddski5]

The innocence displayed in those eyes are misleading!!!

Can you take a picture of ears at 2-3:00 and 10-11:00. I am curious of their positioning.

 

[Panama]

He is adorable. Love how dark he is!

 

[BaronTheRed]

The innocence displayed in those eyes are misleading!!!

Can you take a picture of ears at 2-3:00 and 10-11:00. I am curious of their positioning.

i'll try later today, we're heading to the vet...

 

[luckybeemer]

Welcome. Everyone here has helped me thru so many obstacles, as a 1st time Doberman owner with many many ups and downs of weight, food, and definitely ear posting. These guys and gals are awesome. Baron is gorgeous. I love the last picture, those eyes will have you wrapped around his paw in no time flat. Can't wait to see pictures of his progress.