Ear taping part 2

The warning from Part 1 still applies!!!  If you don't remember it, then go back and read it, then go away!

Here is what our finished ear corset should look like:

Before you grab puppy, set up your station so that you aren't fussing with this stuff while puppy gets impatient on the table.  Tear 2 long strips to go around the base of the ear and 2 shorter strips for the upper portion of the ear.  Have some stuff to clean the ears out and extra tape if you have an oops.

Put the corset as deep as you can see into the ear, because it is sticky it is not easy, but make sure ou set it in there, or the bottoms will pop out and need to be redone.  Take our long piece of tape and place it low on the ear, right at the skull.  ALWAYS tape towards the nose, so that the extra 'flap' gets folded back.  The trick to not cutting off circulation to the ear is to lay the tape around the ear, not pulling....think of putting on a bandaid too tight - it hurts and our finger falls off - it's the same with puppy's ear.  When I was a vet tech (many years ago), I saw clients tr to save $15.00 and tape themselves and the dog lose it's entire ear - 

SO BECAREFUL!!!!

If the ear is pocketing (crossing over the head), then before putting the base tape on pull the ear out from puppy's head so it looks more like an airplane wing, then put your base tape on - sorry I don't have pictures of pocketing ears here, but you can see the method of airplaning the ear used below.

Next take your short tape and lay the tape around the upper part of the ear, making sure to go in the correct direction, which is the same as the bottom tape. I always use a piece of microporage tape to tape over the sticky part of the tape that is still exposed so that it doesn't get dirty and grimy.  It also helps set the tips so they don't curl back.

Lastly you can decide whether puppy needs a bridge or not at the base.  Most new or long crops will need a bridge for some time.  Start with a super long piece of tape, lay it around the base of one ear and making sure it's not bringing the two ears to close together, lay it around the second ear and loop it back to cover the stick side of the tape. Voila! You are done!  

If it doesn't look like the picture above go to your local vet office.