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How to Fix Floppy Ears of German Shepherd Dogs
What can you do if my one-year-old German Shepherd dog has floppy ears? Is there surgery, drugs, tape, to make the ears stand up?
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3 Replies
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For a few Shepherd owners new to the breed, floppy ears can sometimes become a concern, especially when expecting the German Shepherds to have an erect ear stance.
Here is a breakdown of basic concepts:
Development
Puppy Growth:
- Most puppies, including German Shepherds, are born with floppy ears.
- But over time, these canine features can naturally erect and stand upwards.
- This which can take approximately nine months.
- Moreover, these may stand the way they should be alone during one year.
Teeth Growth:
- During teething, mainly between three and seven months, cartilage and calcium can weaken, resulting in floppy ears.
Nutrition and Health
Proper Diet:
- Ensure your dog receives proper nutrition, which includes protein and calcium.
- Protein and calcium are responsible for building bone and cartilage growth.
Additional Use:
- Talk to the vet and ask for MPS II. Try to have glucosamine and chondroitin supplementation for cartilage use, and consider other alternatives.
Water Requirement:
- If you want your dog to maintain good hydration and cartilage function, always provide the proper amount of hydration.
Ears Wrapping
Ears Wrapping:
Taping is one of the most common and effective methods when ears are trained to be in a certain position. This includes:
- Ear wrapping involves using soft surgical tape to stop the German Shepherd’s ears from protruding.
Avoiding Secure Techniques:
- If wrapping is less painful for the dog, feel free to do that, but use collars and holders carefully.
- I will remove the tape from the ear for a couple of days.
- Then check again to see if there is any improvement.
Ear Forms:
- Control of the ears to be perpendicular is achieved with tape breaching foam or cardboard inserted inside the ear.
Surgery
Last Resort:
- In the situation when ears do not stand, regardless of noninvasive methods, ear surgery is an option.
However:
- It is usually for cosmetic purposes.
- Therefore, not advised for anyone who does not need it for medical purposes.
- It can also be costly and requires the person to take care of the post-operative period with some degree of caution.
- Engage in an interactive session over this with a veterinary expert.
Drugs or Injections
Calcium or Collagen:
- Some veterinarians inject calcium or collagen into the ear cartilage to harden the ear.
- These types of therapies should not be indulged in without professional assistance.
No Approved Drugs:
- No specific drug is manufactured to erect the dog’s ears.
Genetics
- For those who are attempting but the ears are not even trying to stand, it would have on their genes, not to say desired.
- Not all German shepherds have the robust cartilage needed to ensure the ears stand erect.
- All the more for any dog that is not a pedigree or poorly bred.
Recommendations:
Consult Your Veterinarian:
- A veterinarian can help even more by determining whether the ears are forming normally and/or the best course of action.
Stay Calm:
- If your pup is under a year old, the ears may still stand up naturally.
Consider Other Options:
- Duct Taping and changes in the diet are safe methods to begin with.
Think About Health and Not Looks:
- Keep in mind that floppy ears have no implication on your dog’s health or integrity.
If yes, would you like a precise guide on duct taping or a list of supplements that promote ear health? 😊
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Yes, please. I would like detailed instructions on taping or a list of supplements to support ear health??
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How to Tape Dog Ears: A Step-by-Step Guide
Taping is a non-surgical and effective way of posting a German Shepherd’s ears.
Here’s how it goes: Materials Required:
Surgical tape:
- This is fine; the proper tape will not irritate or make one’s skin uncomfortable.
Foam rollers or cardboard inserts:
- These are gentle and basic anchoring devices that perform the function of weight.
Scissors:
- An apparatus employed in all households to cut tape and inserts.
Adhesive remover:
- This is an item that will allow one to remove tape at a later time.
Instructions: Step-by-Step
Ears Preparation:
- Make sure the ears are clean and dry before attempting to carry out the procedure on the dog.
- Cut the foam rollers or cardboard into smaller pieces.
- Ensure that the volume of the cut inserts remains within a certain limit to avoid making the pet feel cumbersome and uncomfortable.
Insert the Support:
Keep a foam roller or insert it inside the dog’s ear to give it some structure.
The foam should be placed inside the boundary of the ear without cutting or hurting the dog.
Secure with A Tape:
- Take a piece of mask or surgical tape and carefully wrap it around the ear housing the foam or the inserts.
- Be cautious not to make the wrap tight.
- It should be able to hold the insert without impeding blood circulation, thus causing the pup no pain.
Connecting the Ears (Optional):
If they both droop, tap them together along the top of the head.
Taping Head Sets
Use a strip of tape to connect the tops of both ears while slightly permitting motion.
Monitoring your Dog
- While using the tape, check for 4 to 7 days and check for any signs of discomfort, irritation, or infection daily during that period.
- Progress can be evaluated after a week; necessary retaping can be done if an improvement has or hasn’t occurred.
Tape removal
- To remove the tape, use a wet adhesive remover or warm water.
- When removing the tape, be gentle so your dog’s ears don’t hurt.
Tips
- The sign is to begin taping as soon as the teething phase ends and the ears remain flopped.
- It requires time to set the ears, so be patient. Setting them fully can take weeks.
- If your dog is distressed with red or sore ears, visit the Vet and stop the continuation.
Dieting for Ear Health
Increasing the chances of the ears standing up naturally and providing ear cartilage alongside overall health through diet will be effective.
A Protein-Rich Diet
A diet rich in proteins is needed to grow both the muscles and the cartilage. Try to look for dog foods, including chicken, beef, or fish, high in protein.
Supplements
Glucosamine & Chondroitin:
- Supporting strength and repair of cartilage around ear structures.
- Nutramax Dasuquin or Cosequin are examples of products that can be used.
Calcium:
- Build Bones and Cartilage, but your Vet should only provide calcium nutrition support.
Natural Sources:
- Use Cottage cheese and yogurt in minimal quantities.
Vitamin C-
- Vitamin C is the best support for collagen production, which is important for ear cartilage development.
Example Products:
Tablets recommended by Vet as chew it’s easy to consume.
Fish Oil ( Omega-3s)-
- Supports joint and cartilage health on a general level.
Example Products:
- Nordic Naturals or Grizzly Salmon Oil.
Gelatin or Collagen Powder:
- Cartilage is provided with its building blocks in these supplements.
Natural Sources:
- Bone broth produces it.
Hydration:
- It Is Vital For Cartilage That Is Flexible And Able To Withstand Stress That Your Dog Should Get Enough Water Intake.
Natural Chews:
- Encourage them to chew on pig ears or bully sticks.
- This will strengthen their jaw muscles, which in turn will help them maintain proper ear posture.
Precautions:
- Always Go To The Vet When You Add And Remove Supplements From Your Dog’s Diet.
- Do not overload your dog with too much calcium.
- Too much calcium can create problems.
Would you like me to recommend specific brands or guide you in buying these supplements? 🐕✨
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