Yorkie Ear Problems
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One visitor is wondering about Yorkie ear problems and how she can make sure her next pup's ear will stand correctly.
Wondering About Yorkie Ear Problems
I had a Yorkie with floppy ears, and he looked adorable. Now I'm interested in buying another Yorkie, and I was told that if you touch their ears when they are puppies, they lose some kind of nerve that makes the ears floppy. Is that correct?
Expert Reply
Hi CJ,
That's a new one on me, and I used to handle Yorkie show dogs.
Here's what I know about ears.
- The set and strength of the cartilage in the ears is somewhat hereditary. Some lines have weak ears that never fully prick up. Look closely at the parents and the rest of any breeder's stock that you visit. This will give you a clue as to how your prospective pup's ears may turn out.
- Teething sometimes cause the ears to droop for a while, but they usually come back up once the adult teeth are in.
- Excessive handling of a puppy's ears can cause a breakdown of the cartilage tissue that likely won't recover. So yes, it's good to avoid folding or otherwise playing with them. Could this lead to nerve damage? I suppose it could, but I never heard of that angle before.
All of that said, I've seen breeders tape the ears erect for several weeks to allow the cartilage the opportunity to strengthen. The ears will usually remain erect once the tape is removed. This is more effective for puppies than it is for adult dogs.
Thanks for your question, and I hope this information arms you with enough knowledge to choose your next pup.
~~ Kelly
Comments
Hi Linda,
It may be a little too soon to worry about this yet. Your puppy is going to be teething for a while, and the ears are likely to go through some changes. Since you'll still be going to the vet to complete your puppy's vaccinations, ask your vet to take a look and see if he/she thinks it will be necessary to tape the ears to help them stand.
Thanks for your question, and good luck with your new pup. :)
-- Contributed by: KellyMy puppy's right ear is standing up and his left is floppy. He is only 8 weeks his left ear has never risen. Should I be concerned? All the other stories and questions above mention that the ears have stood up at one point then they become floppy again, my puppy has not even come that far. He is just super cute with one floppy ear...
-- Contributed by: LindaHi Lucy,
Since the ears were up before teething, there's a good chance they will come back up once teething is done. Try adding a spoonful of cottage cheese to your dog's dinner each day. The added calcium may help.
Generally, it takes about two people to accomplish ear taping, but if you think your dog won't cooperate, your vet might be able to help. Vet's routinely take Doberman ears after they have been cropped, and it's basically the same procedure. I would give it a little longer to see how the ears look after teething, but also ask your vet's advice about the situation.
Thanks for your question, and good luck. :)
-- Contributed by: KellyThis page has been accessed 1,592 times. This page was last modified 20:12, 9 October 2008.
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