I noticed one day that the tip of Sagan's right ear was starting to flop over. Couldn't imagine why that would happen and I'd never heard of it happening as a shepherd got older. It was the same day that I was taking him for a grooming appointment, so when I picked him up, I asked if they noticed anything about his ears. She said that they were clean and didn't smell like he had an infection, but he did have a squishy bump that was making the one side flop over. It looks really cute, but of course it had to be drained.
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I took him to Shawme Animal Hospital in Sandwich on the 26th....the same day that our blizzard was supposed to hit....to have the bump drained. The doctor said there were 3 routes we could take. The most drastic would be to insert a drain for 3 weeks, but he felt that the hematoma wasn't big enough. The second would be minor surgery to drain and then stitch the front and back of the ear together to prevent further blood from accumulating. The least invasive would be to drain it and give him a steroid shot to prevent itch and infection. He wanted to go conservative for now and told me to bring him back in if the bump reformed.
Of course I was as nervous as Sagan during the procedure. 2 techs held him down, as he is 85 lbs now, and they put a muzzle on him which he just hated. But it was quick and soon he was unmuzzled and we were on our way home.
I was concerned that his ear would be permanently flopped over, but by the next morning, it was already back up again.
Mama's sweet boy with his moo cow stuffie.Of course I was as nervous as Sagan during the procedure. 2 techs held him down, as he is 85 lbs now, and they put a muzzle on him which he just hated. But it was quick and soon he was unmuzzled and we were on our way home.
I was concerned that his ear would be permanently flopped over, but by the next morning, it was already back up again.
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A huge thank you to Dr. Romeiser and the staff for making this a quick and easy appointment. I highly recommend Shawme Animal Hospital. Their rates are quite reasonable and the staff is friendly and truly love their patients.
Oh, wow! Jojo he looks just like our beloved JD, who passed away 5 years ago. His ears flopped too, but it was because he was part collie. Amazing dog. Glad yours is on the mend!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes his ear is totally back to normal now. He's a sweet pea. Going to be 10 in March! Can't believe it. Got him when he was 9 mos. old. He's a rescue, just like my other mix breed.
DeleteWhat a sweet boy JoJo! I'm so glad it was not a big deal, our boys are our babies and we sure worry for them!
ReplyDeleteHe IS a sweet boy. Once he knows that you aren't a threat, he will make an absolute pest out of himself for pets and snuggles. He positions himself in front of doorways and in the hall so that you have to give him a bellyrub in order to pass. Goofy thing.
DeleteMy first German Shepherd's ears never did stand up. My second two had no problem.
ReplyDeleteI think it's adorable when the puppy ears are flopped. We got Sagan after his were fully upright.
DeleteAw, poor puppy! Glad he's getting better!
ReplyDeleteThanks! He's right as rain now.
DeleteSo happy this was not serious. Your pup is SO handsome!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I mean I quaked a bit when he mentioned the drain for 3 weeks. I was wondering how in the world I was going to keep Sagan from tearing it out. I have to leave my house sometimes! Glad it was an easy fix. Oh, and he knows he's handsome too.....he works the 'cute'.
DeleteAwe poor boy. I have a shepherd too,he will eleven in April. He hates going to the vet. He has tried to get through a window and torn the blinds. He has knocked over a whole display shelf too. He is such a friendly dog but just cries like a baby at the vet and that's before she even touches him. Hope yours gets well soon.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah Sagan was not a happy camper in that exam room. He was climbing on the chair and bench, looking out the window, manicly pacing. I was petting and hugging him and cooing in his ear but he freaked. All those smells of other animals too I'm sure.
DeleteGlad that they could take him so quickly,he looks happy now! Phyllis
ReplyDeleteI was glad too. They come very highly recommended and I was afraid maybe they weren't taking new patients. I was also glad that he was scheduled for before the blizzard. I would not have wanted to wait till now to have it done.
DeleteBack in the day, I had a Shetland Sheepdog. His ears were supposed to be 'turned down', but apparently, you were supposed to make SURE they 'turned down' by putting tape on them. I never did, and his ears were as nature intended ;0) Glad Sagan is sorted anyway.
ReplyDeleteI don't like a lot of the stuff they do to 'purebred' dogs. I would never dock ears or a tail. I'd love to own a corgi someday but I don't want his little tail cut off.
DeleteSo glad he's OK. When you said you needed to let Pepper out and didn't mention Sagie I was spooked!
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who's a vet, and while a bunch of us were visiting a friend with two Burmese cats for a singing rehearsal, one by one the friendly male was hugged up on our shoulders and passed from one to the next. Then Paul arrived, I went to pass Spice over, and the clever boy bolted! He knew vet when he smelled it!
Oh I have to get Pepper out in the middle of the night now or else she has accidents...and even when I do let her out a couple of times, I still wake up to a puddle. Sagan's fine overnight! Taking them to the vet is as stressful for me as for them. Where he is manic and running around, climbing on things, Pepper goes into frozen mode, shivering and shaking, tail between her legs, won't walk so you have to carry her.
DeleteAw, what a sweet pooch. Glad to see Sagan's ear is mending well and looks as good as ever.
ReplyDeleteYou'd never know he had a problem now...but for the fur that's still growing in over the edge.
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