We do NOT offer ear cropping! Our vet will not crop ears until 13 to 16 weeks and we feel that this is a very important time to bond with the new owners. Also we are not set up to house each puppy in a crate or area away from the other puppies while they have their stitches in to keep them safe from pulling/tarring them out. Even though we no longer offer ear cropping we still like to provide very helpful information to our buyers. We ask that if you choose to crop your new babies ears on your own that you please research your vets and pick a few to interview, ask to see photos. Ears can be cropped between 7 weeks and 16 weeks but please keep in mind that all vets are different and have their own time line on when to crop so you need to speak with the vet in advance. All puppies that are shipping out can not leave my care until 8 weeks of age regardless if their getting ears cropped or not, so that is another thing you need to consider when purchasing a puppy from us! We do not guarantee on when your puppy will be shipped, there are airline regulation and unforeseen things that can happen so therefore we can not Guarantee that you will receive your new baby in time for ear cropping.
Anesthesia Guidelines for Cropping
Prepared by
Sue Cates, RVT and Dr. LeAnn Lake-Heidke, DVM.
This is the most updated info on what is appropriate for Great Danes (Giants).
An anesthesia protocol for the puppy to be cropped is a serious consideration, keeping in mind, that we are dealing with your babies! Long time breeders of cropped puppies or veterinarians have surely heard of un-explained anesthetic deaths during or just following a cropping procedure. I am hopeful this paragraph will not be too soon outdated, and helpful for the safety of the anesthetized puppy.
I have been involved with anesthesia for the cropping of puppies for about 25 years and have seen MANY different protocols used. As many veterinarians as there are, there are as many different ideas on what is used for anesthesia. This is a subject that the owner ha the right and duty to discuss with the veterinarian doing the crop procedure for you. Certainly as the years go by, anesthetic agents will keep on improving, so the current protocol in this article may become out-dated, (editorial comment - we will update as new info comes available), but for now, this is what I personally consider to be the absolutely SAFEST method.
Currently there are two really good anesthetic gasses available, ISOFLURANE and SEVOFLURANE., with Sevo being the absolute best/safest. Sevo at this time is more expensive but the very best choice. This protocol is what we use at our clinic, and I in no wan intend to be and instructor or anesthesia expert in this recommendation. I STRONGLY believe that NO pre-anesthestic be used on the puppy except a dose of Atropine per weight about 15-20 minutes prior to anesthesia. We ‘mask’ the puppy down on either of the gases, intubate, and maintained on gas during cropping. We also use pulse oxcimetry and a blood pressure monitor during surgery. When the puppy is cropped, cleaned and taped accordingly, and ready to be awakened, we have on hand a Torbutrol injection with a “hub” of Acepromazine, per weight, to be given IV upon extubation. This makes for a very smooth, pain free recovery! The puppy needs to be closely monitored immediately following anesthesia, needless to say.
This method is very easy for first time Croppers. Just make sure you order all the supplies well in advance before you crop your baby.
