One more word on ear cropping

I know this subject has been beaten to death in the other thread, but I have to defend what I posted. Someone commented that pups don't scream when their ears are cropped because they are under anesthetic. True - they don't scream, and yes, they are under. What I MEANT was, AFTER the surgery the animals suffer. Some more than others, but they ALL suffer. When an owner brings his dog in to be rewrapped, drops him off at the counter, and he's taken to the back treatment room, THAT'S when they scream! There are heavy, soundproof doors in most vet's office just so you won't hear when an animal yelps. They DO suffer. Think about it - would you want YOUR ears cut off? Do you think there would be no pain involved? Get real! Start using your brain! Of course there is pain involved - there is with any surgery. But personally, after what I've seen working as a vet tech, I know that these vets crop many ears every week (some vets do many EVERY DAY) and they become burned out, callous, and they just don't care about an animal's pain anymore. Its bad enough to have to go thru surgery where your ears are cut off, but to have the tapes ripped off that raw flesh unfeelingly over and over for weeks or months, THAT'S TORTURE. And just because someone feels guilty that they put their dog thru that does not for a minute mean that dog has not suffered horribly just because you thought he would look better that way!

 

I prefer the natural look over cropped any day - the cropped look is just for the dog owner's benefit like declawing a cat. The only one who benefits from that (other than the vet with payment) is the cat's owner cause they don't have to teach the cat to claw stuff other than the furniture.

 

Debating and stating YOUR opinions is perfectly fine. But making rude statements is not OK.

Not everyone shares the same opinions as you. As I stated before the breed I own requires NO taping after ear cropping. So no my dog never screamed in pain from taping. And as I also stated I watched an entire litter of puppies get their ears cropped as well as my own so I do know what happens in the procedure room. IM sure there was pain involved but the puppies never showed it whatsoever in fact they were all playing happily afterwards. Ear cropping is not the most happy of times for a puppy but it certainly is not torture and they do not suffer horribly as you stated. So IM curious since you are so against ear cropping then are your views the same for Spaying and Neutering? As those procedures are both dangerous in many ways and much more invasive.

 

I'm sorry, but I must interject here (even though the comment was not aimed toward me):

I, personally, am strongly opposed to tail docking and ear cropping, however, my opposition to those two procedures can in no way, whatsoever, be compared to my pro-view on spaying and neutering!!! Spaying and neutering is an IMPORTANT surgery for dogs (and cats, etc.), and is done for health and behavioral reasons! Tail docking and ear cropping is NOT done for health reasons (in most cases), rather it is done for cosmetic reasons! Comparing tail docking and ear cropping to spaying and neutering is like comparing apples and oranges, please!

I don't take offense to the fact that you crop and dock, for I disagree with it, BUT respect your opinion, what I do take offense to is the comparison that was trying to be made!

Thank you for listening!

 

Sadly, most people are not aware of what goes on in vet hospitals when they are not around, or when their animal is taken to the back treatment room. This is precisely why I stopped working for vets (I worked for two hospitals over 12 years) about 10 years ago. The pay is low, there is a huge turnover because of this, and as a result, animals are not treated with kindness by the help. Most people in this profession are just plain burned out. Its a shame. In truth, I still have nightmares about it on a regular basis.

Spaying and castrating animals spares them from many life threatening medical problems. Pyometra (uterine infection) and mammary gland cancer in females and prostate and testicular cancer in males. There is a genuine MEDICAL BENEFIT in performing these procedures. There is no benefit in ear cropping or tail docking whatsoever except that the owner is vain enough to want their dog to look a certain way. It is only for the owner. In my opinion, its needless suffering for the animal. Spaying and castrating can in no way be compared with cosmetic surgery such as ear cropping.

I see that you have a Pit, and for some reason, these dogs seem to have an extremely high pain tolerance. This is not true for most other breeds, so I wouldn't be surprised if your dog DIDN'T show much discomfort after the procedure. Most other breeds do suffer for quite a while after surgery.

I have no reason to lie about these things. I wish the facts I stated weren't true. After being a vet tech, I will not leave my animals at a vet's office unless I absolutely have to. After what I've witnessed (and it wasn't just two vets - over the years I also worked with many relief vets while the regulars were on vacation) I have lost my faith and trust in veterinarians. Its too bad it has to be this way, but the public really needs to be aware of how serious this problem is.

 

Can't we all just agree to disagree? This subject really has been beaten to death and now I wish I had never started the first thread. Let's just let it rest. Please!

 

I worked as a Vet Tech and assisted in crops and docks. I never heard any animals "Scream" in pain. They whimper a little, but not scream.

Also the Vet I worked for did not tape to the ears. Splints were placed on either side or in the inside of the ear. The the ears were wrapped with a surgical gauze wrap. I don't think any tape was used at all.

If your Vet was using tape, he needs to brush up on his technique.

 

IM sorry if I offended you. In fact maybe I should have worded it differently. I also am a strong advocate of spaying and neutering I believe it is vital to the already over populated pet population of unwanted pets. I was just curious as to what seaecho's views were on the subject. I have ran across many EXTREME animal advocates that view spaying and neutering as unnecessary.

 

Oh, okay, I appreciate your clarification! :y_the_best: I misinterpreted your reply as saying the opposite...I stand corrected, thanks!

Well stated, and happy to see another advocate!!!

Tell me about it, Gina, it frustrates the heck out of me! If only they could see what devastation is caused by not neutering and spaying!!! :x

Kind Regards!

 

Ok I just want to say, first everyone has their own opinions that is fine I don't care, but I want to politely say to seaecho that it has been 10 years since you workd in the vet maybe some surgeries have changed some, I don't know, just saying maybe there is a more "humane" way to do it. And those vets sound pretty extreme, with the soundproof rooms with thick walls, I wouldn't want to go to a vet like that either.

 

This subject has already been taken too far. Cropping, docking and yes even the removal of dewclaws (many purebred owners don't even know they have purchased a dog without dewclaws, thereby supporting a breeder who has altered a dog) are ALL personal decisions based on the breed and activity and sometimes health of that dog. The same could be said about spay/neutering, although we're not going to go there.

While I am not suggestion altering a dog in any fashion is acceptable, calling people baby killers, stating they are sick and should not own dogs (other thread) is clearly inappropriate and will not be tolerated, future offenders will lose their membership here. Everyone has a right to their opinions but this subject has had its ride so lets not continue just so those select few can prove points and make personal attacks.

Thanks!!!

 

You are right! It HAS been 10 years, and I sincerely hope vets' practices have changed. That is my wish. I wish I wasn't so cynical, but what I saw on a daily basis really must have traumatized me, especially since I still have frequent nightmares, even after all this time. Animals, after all, cannot speak up for themselves.

I have noticied that vets do now prescribe pain medication for animals after surgery. When I worked, this was never done (only if the owner absolutely INSISTED). I think its now the law, if I'm not mistaken. Don't get me wrong - I'd be absolutely THRILLED if vets have changed their ways, but the burn-out will remain a constant if more highly educated/skilled people are not employed, and the pay is not increased. Vets work very long hours, for very little reward, and only charge a small fraction of what an MD charges for the same job. No wonder they burn out like they do! Its just that I believe vets and their help should treat all animals as if they were their own, and in my experience, that was just not the case. Remember those hidden cameras they had trained on a vet (it was an employee who set the camera up). Well, what I saw was NOTHING compared to what I'd seen where I worked. What was shown was very mild. Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but I do feel strongly that you should be able to trust a vet hospital when your dog is in dire need of medical help. Your dog, after all, trusts you.

And by the way, I don't want to fight with anyone. We are all animal lovers here, and that is the special bond we share. Your Pit, by the way, is absolutely gorgeous! I love Pits and think they are outstanding family dogs who also will protect your property. Not all breeds can claim those attributes! I don't have a Pit, by the way. I have two Pugs, a Boxer and a new Great Dane puppy. It probably goes without saying that none of them are cropped. I always say that a person who loves animals can't be all bad! And all of us here have that in common!

 

Seaecho
I understand your views and I do respect and appreciate them. Your knowledge in Veterinary medicine is a great attribute and is very welcome on this forum. I think I speak for everyone when I say Welcome. There is caring group of people here who are always very helpful and friendly. I have no hard feelings towards you.

Thank you, I have four in fact one is a foster. I also have a Pekingese and my newest foster Kiko a Chow. If you have pictures of your dogs please post them we all love seeing pictures of the furbabies.
Here are pictures of all my furbabies.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v338/reginaha/

 

Seacho: All I have to say is that if you witnesses so many "burnt out" vets being inconsiderate towards their patients, why did yo not ever make a report or claim against them. Especially if you don't work there anymore.
Violence and "malpractice" will continue in these places until someone steps forward to intervene.

 

I wish I HAD reported them now, but there were too many incidents, and too many vets, and I feared no one would believe me. But I'm sorry now that I didn't do something.