My dobies right ear still won’t stand

[Katmendoza93]

Hello, I have an 11 month old dobie whose right ear stops standing after a while. I’m just about to give up. Back in December the vet told me that it could be because she was about to get her first heat? Which didn’t make sense to me. Anyway she just finished her first heat and her ear still flops. Her surgery was back in august and her ear posting started in September. She will sometimes make it stand up if she’s in alert or randomly it will stand but I don’t know what to do anymore. Her other ear is doing great. Also I try to just use tape on that right ear to make it stand but she will scratch it off after a few hours. She’ll be one year May 6. Should I just keep post both ears? And if so for how long? Any replies will be greatly appreciated. Also she has the show crop.

 

[Ravenbird]

Welcome to Doberman Chat, what a beautiful girl you have!

I'm trying to do a little math - This is April so if she's 11 months old she was born in March, but didn't have her ears cropped until August? About 5 months old? Correct me if I'm misunderstanding. This is considered a very late start, usually they are done at about 10 weeks old, 12 weeks is running late and most vets won't crop much later than that. At any rate, I'm going to say they look fantastic if you didn't even crop until 5 months of age! The right ear has a fold where the cartilage is weak or "broken". Many times this happens if you quit posting too early, and especially if they sleep on the folded ear. How long has she been out of posts? You can continue posting for another couple of months, not leaving that ear out of posts for more than 30 minutes or an hour. It may set the cartilage proper or it may not if it's too late. You can only try.

 

[Ddski5]

I have to say she is a beautiful girl with a beautiful crop- I love that style.

So basically….
If you choose to quit posting then most likely it will flop. Your persistence and tenacity on this is going to be the difference maker.

If the ear has a crease and the cartilage is broken, then I would say yeah the ear is not standing. But you say the ear stands, then gets tired and falls. So the ear is capable of standing.

I would do EVERYTHING to get the ear to stand…you say she scratches out the tape- don’t let her- period. Have you used BreatheRite strips? I would put her on a leash and be by my side for 48-72-100hrs if necessary and make damn sure the ear stays standing.

With it being 11months, it’s harder to conquer but I still think it’s in your control, you just have to be diligent and make it happen.

 

[JanS]

I would keep going since they stand sometimes and many people do have to go past a year to get them standing strong.

 

[Katmendoza93]

Welcome to Doberman Chat, what a beautiful girl you have!

I'm trying to do a little math - This is April so if she's 11 months old she was born in March, but didn't have her ears cropped until August? About 5 months old? Correct me if I'm misunderstanding. This is considered a very late start, usually they are done at about 10 weeks old, 12 weeks is running late and most vets won't crop much later than that. At any rate, I'm going to say they look fantastic if you didn't even crop until 5 months of age! The right ear has a fold where the cartilage is weak or "broken". Many times this happens if you quit posting too early, and especially if they sleep on the folded ear. How long has she been out of posts? You can continue posting for another couple of months, not leaving that ear out of posts for more than 30 minutes or an hour. It may set the cartilage proper or it may not if it's too late. You can only try.

Welcome to Doberman Chat, what a beautiful girl you have!

I'm trying to do a little math - This is April so if she's 11 months old she was born in March, but didn't have her ears cropped until August? About 5 months old? Correct me if I'm misunderstanding. This is considered a very late start, usually they are done at about 10 weeks old, 12 weeks is running late and most vets won't crop much later than that. At any rate, I'm going to say they look fantastic if you didn't even crop until 5 months of age! The right ear has a fold where the cartilage is weak or "broken". Many times this happens if you quit posting too early, and especially if they sleep on the folded ear. How long has she been out of posts? You can continue posting for another couple of months, not leaving that ear out of posts for more than 30 minutes or an hour. It may set the cartilage proper or it may not if it's too late. You can only try.

She was born may 6 2023 she was about to be 4months when she got her ears cropped

 

[JanS]

She was born may 6 2023 she was about to be 4months when she got her ears cropped

That's definitely pushing past the line so they're going to need more regular posting to keep them standing.

 

[Ravenbird]

She was born may 6 2023 she was about to be 4months when she got her ears cropped

oops, sorry, my math went backwards instead of forward a month. But @JanS is right, even 4 months is pushing it. I do believe that crease can be fixed though with strict posting. Commit to it and let us know the results. Fingers crossed for you & your gorgeous girl!

 

[Two Dobes]

She is beautiful . Keep posting, as @JanS said; it can sometimes take longer than a year if you have a weaker ear. Just post the one if the other is strong. Be dilligent, you will be happy you did!

 

[BostonCuff]

Hello, I have an 11 month old dobie whose right ear stops standing after a while. I’m just about to give up. Back in December the vet told me that it could be because she was about to get her first heat? Which didn’t make sense to me. Anyway she just finished her first heat and her ear still flops. Her surgery was back in august and her ear posting started in September. She will sometimes make it stand up if she’s in alert or randomly it will stand but I don’t know what to do anymore. Her other ear is doing great. Also I try to just use tape on that right ear to make it stand but she will scratch it off after a few hours. She’ll be one year May 6. Should I just keep post both ears? And if so for how long? Any replies will be greatly appreciated. Also she has the show crop. View attachment 145528View attachment 145525View attachment 145526View attachment 145527

I feel your pain. I have a 10-month old Dobie and your description is spot on!! And it's even his right ear! It's sooo frustrating. I'm going to keep posting as prescribed by other members in the forum. Hopefully it will strengthen and permanently stand on it's on. Keep the fight!!!

 

[UnitySpirit64]

Im having the same issue now. As you see from my profile photo my Kiras ears would stand well. She turned 1 year old and one ear does the up and down flop so back to posting. I don't think the vet actually did a proper crop but Im not going to stress over it. If I have to go till shes 2 years old I will. Or talk to vet to stich it maybe . Thats what another thread spoke of. Whats odd is that it was her left ear not standing. I posted it and it starting to stand well now. Both then would not stand. At the moment I have her right ear posted and will continue with it.

 

[JanS]

I would definitely keep posting both. That looks like a pretty difficult crop to get standing correctly.

 

[Katmendoza93]

Im having the same issue now. As you see from my profile photo my Kiras ears would stand well. She turned 1 year old and one ear does the up and down flop so back to posting. I don't think the vet actually did a proper crop but Im not going to stress over it. If I have to go till shes 2 years old I will. Or talk to vet to stich it maybe . Thats what another thread spoke of. Whats odd is that it was her left ear not standing. I posted it and it starting to stand well now. Both then would not stand. At the moment I have her right ear posted and will continue with it.

Yes definitely keep posting both ears.I am still posting my dogs right ear. She is 1yr and 1 month today Also what method are you using to post the ears ? I am using the backer rod method

 

[Ddski5]

You have to post consistently without letting the ears out for too long.

Post for 3-5 days and then change post. The ears are out free for approx 30mins to an hour- no longer. Then back in post for another 3-5 days.

Keep up this cycle….

Good luck.

 

[UnitySpirit64]

Yes definitely keep posting both ears.I am still posting my dogs right ear. She is 1yr and 1 month today Also what method are you using to post the ears ? I am using the backer rod method

Im using backer rod as well. Her left ear still stands good but her right does not. I am still posting about 7 days .. cleaning then doing it again.

 

[UnitySpirit64]

You have to post consistently without letting the ears out for too long.

Post for 3-5 days and then change post. The ears are out free for approx 30mins to an hour- no longer. Then back in post for another 3-5 days.

Keep up this cycle….

Good luck.

ok I was going 7 days . Left out after cleaning then posting again but I did stop for about a week since they both were standing. First time with long ears. all my other dobermans had a medium cut and stood well at 6 months. New learning curve at least.

 

[UnitySpirit64]

I would definitely keep posting both. That looks like a pretty difficult crop to get standing correctly.

well it was a package deal so I did not decide who did the ears. I talked to vet who did them about the stitching. He in no terms has anything to do with ears anymore. I can see why.

 

[UnitySpirit64]

Yes definitely keep posting both ears.I am still posting my dogs right ear. She is 1yr and 1 month today Also what method are you using to post the ears ? I am using the backer rod method

I see where your dogs ears are much thinner on side seems they would have set better but I think I also read that base has to be

 

[Katmendoza93]

I see where your dogs ears are much thinner on side seems they would have set better but I think I also read that base has to be

Yea the base of her ear was stitched down she got the show crop, I wish she would have gotten the medium crops

 

[UnitySpirit64]

Yea the base of her ear was stitched down she got the show crop, I wish she would have gotten the medium crops

I did not ask for a show crop only a long ear. He only did it because the breeder had over 22 pups to do. He gave her a discount. Here is costs about $300 but none are what you would call experts. He won't do any anymore so I know he really didn't want to do it but for the money . I called him about putting a stitch in it and he said no. I think he is mad because I changed to a local vet as well. I could be wrong but he was very choppy on the call. Just a guess of course. My vet I use to have for over 20 years moved to New Mexico. He would work with me and always got my pets in and never turned down helping my animals. I miss that kind of vet so much. One close to me won't say anything when coming in the exam room. Barely spoke to me then walked out after he gave the shots. I did not even know he was done with me till I asked the vet assistant. How rude is that? At least acknowledge me standing there.

 

[JanS]

One close to me won't say anything when coming in the exam room. Barely spoke to me then walked out after he gave the shots. I did not even know he was done with me till I asked the vet assistant. How rude is that?

That and it doesn't look like he shaped the ear or took much off at all. Long is one thing but there is so much left all along the ear that I can see why it's harder for you to get them standing correctly.