Hi I would love some help. I have had dobermans for 45 years, some with cropped ears and some without. I just posted my 12 old pup's ears for the first time using the tampon method. They stayed well for 48 hours and then she was fussing at them. I took them down using unisolve and there are sores INSIDE her ears. The tape used for the reverse sticky is cloth surgical tape. The tape on the outside of the ears is sports tape (hypoallergenic, breathable cotton) The tampons are regular absorbancy size. The tape was placed at the bottom of the base, the tip and one in between. It was not tight. I did a brace with tape but she seemed to hold them on her own (no pressure on the brace) After removing the posts the sores are in the bell of the ear. One ear has sores on the "bump" and one ear has sores on both sides. They are small and have now been healing for 3 days. NOT healed yet. And, one ear has a pocket in it- she can't put that ear down at all.......... this was all after 48 hours of posting. All I can find is help on sores on the outside of the ears (hers are fine, not a hair pulled with the unisolve) Any help would be SO much appreciated. What is everyone's choice for treating the sores? I am cleaning twice a day with 70% alcohol and applying a triple antibiotic salve. There is no infection but now I am really afraid to repost after she heals. I have never had a pocket before either- and after only 48 hours...... the other ear is flopped down like prior to posting. Thanks so much. I am new here so hope I am doing this post correctly.
Sores inside 12 week pup ears from first posting
- Thread starter Cindyzoo
- Start date
Two Dobes
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There is a great product called Vetericyn that you can find at a Tractor Supply, or online of course...I had called the company many years ago, when I used it on a female spay incision. They assured me she could lick it and there was nothing harmful at all about the solution. This stuff heals skin fast!
I would caution using alcohol due to it drying the skin and making it itchy.
Have you done the backer rod method? I am not sure the tampons sit far enough in that bell to keep them from wiggliing and causing scratching. It sounds as though the sores are from her getting that back nail in there and scratching it up.
I would caution using alcohol due to it drying the skin and making it itchy.
Have you done the backer rod method? I am not sure the tampons sit far enough in that bell to keep them from wiggliing and causing scratching. It sounds as though the sores are from her getting that back nail in there and scratching it up.
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Thanks. I am familiar with Vetericyn (I am a vet tech) I have done the backer rod method with previous dobies. My breeder recommended the tampons because she is small/young. She is definitely NOT scratching- she wasn't at all bothered by the posts. I am thinking it is a pressure deal- maybe the tampon cardboard is a bit too stiff and her ears are possibly more sensitive? It was her first posting. I am trying to avoid this happening after she heals up and is ready to repost. Also concerned with a pocket developing after 48 hours. The ear was not loose from the post. Thanks again
Rits
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Can you take a picture of this pocket? Pictures can be very helpful to give the right advice for posting!
As far as the sore goes in the bell of the ear, I find this happens due to the post rubbing from either being too small in the ear and having room to move around or the post material too abrasive. I don't recall the tampon method since I've only used backer rod or zip ties, but is this method using the cardboard applicators inside the ear? This might be too sharp/abrasive for the skin in the ear and is rubbing. I would spray vetericyn on the sores multiple times a day and let heal. I would probably transition to backer rod instead to see if that is more gentle on his ears.
As far as the sore goes in the bell of the ear, I find this happens due to the post rubbing from either being too small in the ear and having room to move around or the post material too abrasive. I don't recall the tampon method since I've only used backer rod or zip ties, but is this method using the cardboard applicators inside the ear? This might be too sharp/abrasive for the skin in the ear and is rubbing. I would spray vetericyn on the sores multiple times a day and let heal. I would probably transition to backer rod instead to see if that is more gentle on his ears.
That's my thought too. I bought the junior size when I considered using that method many years ago and that was a good size for the young pups canal, but not long enough.
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Yes, it is the cardboard applicators. My breeder uses them on the smaller/younger pups. I also have backer rod on hand. I did get the Vetericyn today and started applying it. The ears were posted 48 hours. Taken down Friday afternoon and the left ear is still "up" with the pocket. The ear was brought up taught to the tape/tampon, no pocket or looseness during the 48 hours. Thank you very much.
Rits
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Once those sores are healed I'd go to using backer rod and take a cottonball where the pocket is and place between the post and ear to push that pocket out. He is only 12 weeks so you have plenty of time to get the ears posted and pockets fixed once the ear is healed. If his bases were solid I'd suggest doing the half post method to keep the post out of his ear but I do not think you are there quite yet.
Thanks so much! I was feeling pretty lost as I have never had sores nor pockets develop on any previous pups. I have read about cutting a 1 to 1 1/2 inch piece of backer rod in half and using that to push the pocket out. Is a cotton ball apt to be softer yet get the job done? I really appreciate all the help.
Rits
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Either can work! Ive had good luck with cotton balls myself. See what works best for you and your pup.
There's a very soft gauze square on the market, can't recall what they call it. Like a 4 x 4 but maybe 2 x 2 inches. Not the stringy normal gauze with loose weave, but a very soft cotton-y feel. I cut it so it wouldn't be so thick, folded it over the bottom of the rod, then taped it in place. I also used the smaller rods when first starting out and cut a wedge off the bottom inch (before putting the cotton gauze on) to make it slim enough to go down the ear canal, but still regular size to tape the ear around. I would make a pile of these at a time - a. so it would be done whenever I needed to post and b. if I did several at a time I figured out a best way to make it work. Repetition makes good practice! LOL. The one thing so many people forget is pulling that ear straight up while poking the rod straight down as far as it will go. My previous Doberman was 20 years before this one, so I'd forgotten most tips, plus I'd never used backer rod - way better than the tampon method which is what I did before. My breeder was terrific in that when I came to pick up the puppy, she went over ALL of the process and she showed me about cutting the tip of the rod at an angle, back taping, the whole works. Plus the videos here on Doberman Chat are a great help too.
I think I know what kind of gauze you are talking about- When you say to cut a wedge off the backer rod do you mean to make it pointed? There is a very tiny "spot" in each ear yet on the bulb in the bell of the ear. Should I wait until the spots are entirely healed prior to re-posting? I did pull the ears straight up while putting the tampon in. I have watched so many videos because I was super rusty with posting. It's difficult when everyone has different methods to know which one to go with. I realize there are many "right" ways to do this. I think the sores and the pocket (both a first) have really thrown me. I think the pocket looks almost more so or "deeper" as time goes. The ear is still standing- (from last Friday) and she can't put it down. Thanks again for all the advice from everyone.
Remember this always! Especially when you get many answers here (to anything, not just ears)! I think I have some of my posts in a box of puppy stuff, I'll take a photo for you. I think I'd give the sores more time to heal if it seems like you can't post without rubbing them.
Pictures would be wonderful! Thank you!! Any kind of post would touch the sores, there would be no way around that as they are on the "bulb". I would attach a picture but not sure I can get a very good one. I will wait until they are entirely healed. I really appreciate the help. The sores and pocket have not done my anxiety any favors. lol Thank you!
If not already stated…
1. Clean sores with Vetericyn
2. Let air dry for a bit and breathe
3. Apply abx ointment to help heal.
I may do this twice a day depending on how it looks- maybe just once a day.
This shows the angle that I cut to make it smaller for the ear canal, I'd forgotten that one of the things was to do the duct tape first, then cut a wedge out. It stiffens the spongy rod to keep it straight and strong, even the part pushed far down. (see why I kept a couple, just in case I ever get another puppy? I don't think I would have remembered this!) Then the other was the cotton to pad those edges and it's soft enough to give a little while pushing it down in the canal, but thoroughly taped on so it doesn't flop out or get wadded up.
I added a puppy picture for cuteness sake.
I added a puppy picture for cuteness sake.
Thank you SO much!! I think it looks like the ears are healed. I think I will give them one more day to be sure. When I ad the cotton ball to push out the pocket will the ear appear to have a "bump" on the outside or will it look flat? I am not certain how big the cotton ball should be. I have never had a pup with a pocket before. I sure hope this works so I can get back to posting. Kardi will be 3 months tomorrow. Thanks again so much for sending the pictures! That is puppy cuteness!!
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