He won't hear of ear cropping
Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 12:00 AM Updated: 12:21 PM
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By R.G. Elmore, D.V.M.
Copley News Service
Q: We are having a discussion - more correctly, an argument - in our family about whether or not we should have our miniature schnauzer's ears trimmed. Our dog is of pet quality and we do not plan to enter her in dog shows. In fact, we plan to have her spayed within the next few weeks.
My wife is having difficulty accepting that ear cropping is not necessary and is only performed to make dog owners happy. I should tell you that my wife has had a couple of cosmetic surgeries and has some piercings. Therefore, she argues that what is good for her is good for our dog. What do most veterinarians say about cosmetic surgery for dogs?
A: Discussions and arguments regarding the practice of tail docking and ear cropping merely for cosmetic purposes have been conducted by veterinarians and animal owners for many years - probably for as long as dogs have been shown for entertainment. However, most knowledgeable animal authorities will agree that routine ear cropping and tail docking are unnecessary cosmetic procedures done only to please dog owners and do not benefit the animals on which they are performed.
A reasonable person will agree that these procedures are surgical procedures, which include pain to some degree during and after the procedures are performed. The American Veterinary Medical Association, which represents most of the practicing veterinarians throughout the United States, continues to support the following statement regarding ear cropping and tail docking: "Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform theses surgeries."
Although many veterinarians continue to perform tail docking and ear cropping for clients who are willing to pay for these surgeries, everyone involved must recognize the lack of benefit for the dogs undergoing these procedures. Most tail docking and ear cropping is done only to please the owner.
Hopefully, everyone in the future will appreciate full ears and tails on all breeds of dogs.
Q: Whenever our veterinarian or her technician gives our dog a vaccination, they always tell us that no vaccine is 100 percent in protecting the animal from the disease for which the animal was vaccinated.
While we are assuming that this is true, should we worry about our dog getting an infectious disease against which she has been vaccinated? Also we are concerned about paying for ineffective vaccines.
A: Your veterinarian is to be commended for being honest with you and telling you to watch for infectious diseases even though proper vaccines have been administered to your dog. Although it is very unusual, occasionally an animal does succumb to a disease for which it has been vaccinated. Occasionally an animal will simply not have a normal immune system at the time of vaccination and cannot respond normally to the vaccine.
It is always wise to have your dog checked at the first sign of getting ill, even though vaccinated. This will give your veterinarian the best chance to help your dog recover more quickly.
Send e-mail to copleysd@copleynews.com or write to Pets, Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112-0190. Only questions of general interest will be answered in this column.
© Copley News Service
Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
Copley News Service
Q: We are having a discussion - more correctly, an argument - in our family about whether or not we should have our miniature schnauzer's ears trimmed. Our dog is of pet quality and we do not plan to enter her in dog shows. In fact, we plan to have her spayed within the next few weeks.
My wife is having difficulty accepting that ear cropping is not necessary and is only performed to make dog owners happy. I should tell you that my wife has had a couple of cosmetic surgeries and has some piercings. Therefore, she argues that what is good for her is good for our dog. What do most veterinarians say about cosmetic surgery for dogs?
A: Discussions and arguments regarding the practice of tail docking and ear cropping merely for cosmetic purposes have been conducted by veterinarians and animal owners for many years - probably for as long as dogs have been shown for entertainment. However, most knowledgeable animal authorities will agree that routine ear cropping and tail docking are unnecessary cosmetic procedures done only to please dog owners and do not benefit the animals on which they are performed.
A reasonable person will agree that these procedures are surgical procedures, which include pain to some degree during and after the procedures are performed. The American Veterinary Medical Association, which represents most of the practicing veterinarians throughout the United States, continues to support the following statement regarding ear cropping and tail docking: "Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform theses surgeries."
Although many veterinarians continue to perform tail docking and ear cropping for clients who are willing to pay for these surgeries, everyone involved must recognize the lack of benefit for the dogs undergoing these procedures. Most tail docking and ear cropping is done only to please the owner.
Hopefully, everyone in the future will appreciate full ears and tails on all breeds of dogs.
Q: Whenever our veterinarian or her technician gives our dog a vaccination, they always tell us that no vaccine is 100 percent in protecting the animal from the disease for which the animal was vaccinated.
While we are assuming that this is true, should we worry about our dog getting an infectious disease against which she has been vaccinated? Also we are concerned about paying for ineffective vaccines.
A: Your veterinarian is to be commended for being honest with you and telling you to watch for infectious diseases even though proper vaccines have been administered to your dog. Although it is very unusual, occasionally an animal does succumb to a disease for which it has been vaccinated. Occasionally an animal will simply not have a normal immune system at the time of vaccination and cannot respond normally to the vaccine.
It is always wise to have your dog checked at the first sign of getting ill, even though vaccinated. This will give your veterinarian the best chance to help your dog recover more quickly.
Send e-mail to copleysd@copleynews.com or write to Pets, Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112-0190. Only questions of general interest will be answered in this column.
© Copley News Service
Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
