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Elaine
02-10-2010, 05:50 PM
There was a lot of talk recently on the DPCA only list about our “right” to crop dogs. If you don’t already know, The American Veterinary Medical Association came out about two years ago opposed to cropping. There are legislative agendas being pushed all over the United States to ban cropping. It is illegal to crop in most of Europe. John Q Public is against ear croppiong, sop aremany vets. Most of the public is not any to happy to see us walking around with newly cropped puppies. The comment most often heard is, “That must hurt.”


It does.

The most verbose participants on the DPCA members only list discussion wanted to frame the issue as a “right.” Of course, they are not breeders, or if they ever bred, it's been decades ago. They have no clue what it’s like in 2010 to deal with cropping. For one thing, it will only take one video of a kitchen ear crop being done by/for a DPCA member and we will have lost any effectiveness with the public or ANY politician. We will be forever lumped with Michael Vick.

One loud spokesperson with lots to say on the topic was Cheri McNealy, a woman who doesn’t even own a dog, not a Doberman, not any dog. She had never cropped a litter. She has no clue what it’s like to do so. I think the DPCA totally misses the point about ear cropping, it’s not a matter of “our rights” it’s a matter of, “Are we doing this procedure humanely?”

First, are we using licensed vets to crop our ears, in a medical clinic, with access to proper anesthesia and other equipment? The DPCA should be taking the lead on this issue (and should have years ago). At the very least, the name of the licensed vet who did our ear crop should be required on the DPCA Futurity Form.

And are we showing any level of care and concern for the puppies themselves?

I have had cropped breeds my entire life. Off the top of my head, I have either used or seen the work of Dr. Chuck Krugar, Dr. Marshall, Dr. Wendt, Dr. Gardner, Dr. Grant, Dr. Edwards and Dr Fisher.

Of those, Dr. Patty Edwards was the first vet to prescribe palliative after care (Rimadyl). Dr. Fisher prescribed it as well. My question, for those of you who have actually had a litter cropped, were you sent home with pain meds for the puppies?

doberdogsfd
02-10-2010, 07:09 PM
Absolutely!
Dr Fitzgerald sent us home with a care package that included a pain medication.

Cheryl

andyhilt27
02-10-2010, 07:39 PM
I don't know that I would give a puppy rimadyl....actually any dog for that matter unless it were old and barley able to move. I would only then administer it PRN. I like the idea of pain main meds for cropping, just not rimadyl.

Elaine
02-10-2010, 07:52 PM
We too had some concerns initially, but I'd bet that Dr Edwards and Dr Fisher (combined) have cropped ears for longer than you've been alive (though not longer than I've been alive, recorded history doesn't go back that far :p:o). We are cautious but we found that when dosed properly Rimadyl is safe and efficacious for puppies. We used it for both the Trotyl litter and the Warkant litter. We used it as needed, at the correct dose, it worked. We discontinued it when it was no longer needed.

Dr. Edwards also sold us something called Cani Calm... it's an herbal paste... it may work for her, but for us it was a total waste of money.

doberdogsfd
02-11-2010, 06:30 PM
We cannot remember the name of the stuff Dr. Fitzgerald gave us, it was a liquid. It really helped. I cannot imagine a situation where I would be ok with not having some pain meds for them.

By the way if I had a dog the "barley" able to move I would be concerned too. Now if they were barely able to more I would be even more concerned.:D:D:D

Bob

andyhilt27
02-11-2010, 06:41 PM
Exaggeration....we have some rimadyl that we give to Joy (11 yrs of age, 12 this year) PRN when she exhibits discomfort/slow movement after playing too hard. The rewards in her unique situation outweigh the risks. I'll roll the dice with the side effects vs. putting her down for arthritis and old age. Rimadyl is a great drug for dogs that need it. In my opinion it is too dangerous and overkill for puppies.

Also it does work wonderfully for Joy's "achey old lady that plays too hard" pains. You try telling her not to provoke the squirrels.

PawPrint Boxers
02-16-2010, 11:34 PM
Absolutely!
Dr Fitzgerald sent us home with a care package that included a pain medication. Cheryl

I use Dr Randy Popkin in Santa Rosa, California. He has done my dogs for years. He also sends you home with a small bottle and just a few pills. I think it is Tramadol. And you only give it if you feel the puppy needs it. The pills are really tiny and you only give 1/2 at a time.

doberdogsfd
02-17-2010, 08:45 AM
Yep...it was a liquid and for the life of me , I can't remember the name.
I am usually stellar with the pharmaceuticals, but now I seem to have "early on set" issues! Yikes!:eek:

It was a blur that time in my life and I do not believe I have recovered yet!

Tramadol is a lovely pain leaver that has minimal side effects.
It is becoming a common treatment for Arthritis.

Cheryl

Elaine
02-17-2010, 09:32 AM
As I recall, Dr. Edwards sent us home with Tramadol.

Arthur
02-19-2010, 08:17 PM
I can't imagine not giving pain meds after ear cropping. Tramadol does seem to work well for the puppies. Tramadol has been used in Europe much longer than in the United States. Tramadol seems to be less addictive than Percocet or Vicodin/Lortab, but it still can be addictive. I have seen people addicted to Tramadol. Unfortunately I have seen two seizures in patients taking Tramadol. When mixed with an SSRI they tend to lower the seizure threshold. Now if you have an eight week old puppy on SSRIs there is a bigger problem than worrying about earcropping.