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ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > Ears-for everyone who said they have never seen this before (51 replies)
Ears-for everyone who said they have never seen this before by missyfly96 on 26 October 2011 - 17:01 |
| I posted previously about my puppies ears. I have a puppy who had both ears up at approx 8 weeks. 10 weeks one went down and by 11 weeks both were down. I assumed it was because she was getting ready to teeth. I was concerned because both ears where down for so long without coming back up. Everywhere I read said if the ears were up once they will come back up when teething is done. I have given plenty of bones to chew on, cottage cheese, gelatin, glucosamine, everything that was suggested or that I read to do. By five months neither ear was back up, so I taped. Took them out weekly to see how they were. When they fell I retaped. Well this has been going on for a month. She is now 6 months old one ear stays up and one ear flops. My husband said don't worry he has never seen a floppy ear on a shepherd it will go up. I believe (and a vet said) if it isn't up by six months it will not go up. So I guess this is a first, a German Shepherd who at one time had both ears up and now after teething only one ear will stay up. Forgot to mention she has no injuries to the ear that won't come up. |
by SummertimeGSD on 26 October 2011 - 17:35 |
| Don't give up quite yet, I've heard of some taking up to 18 months, though it's rare. The ears will likely always be soft, and that will pass on genetically for breeding. Another suggestion, I've noticed with puppies the more time they spend out of the crate, the faster their ears stand. |
by Dawulf on 26 October 2011 - 18:06 |
| When I was little, my grandparents got me a puppy that they kept at there house - she was a GSD/husky/wolf.... all three breeds are known to have pointy ears, however Tornado had one straight up, and one that flopped down. She was like that until my grandparents died and we had to get rid of her (we lived in an apartment at the time and there was no way we could keep her there) when she was about 4 years old. They tried taping it to no avail. However, she was a wonderful dog and I loved her to pieces anyway. :) Good luck with your girl! |
Dawulf by Donnerstorm on 26 October 2011 - 19:18 |
| I have to comment on your avatar pic Dawulf that is hilarious! |
Donnerstorm by missyfly96 on 26 October 2011 - 19:46 |
| @summertimegsd she is not crated that much. Mostly at night just for sleeping because I am home all day, so I don't think that was the problem. I just find it very strange how her ears were up, they were the first of her litter to come up, but once they went down that was it. I've read so many places that ears that were once up will come up again (including the leerburg site). |
by starrchar on 26 October 2011 - 20:33 |
| If it was my pup I would brace the ears using ear molds if they don't come up soon. I am no expert, but I've heard they work very well and I'm sure there are some experts on here to guide you. I would love my dog no matter what, but still prefer erect ears. |
starrchar by Two Moons on 26 October 2011 - 21:06 |
| missy, Up or down it's all genetic unless there has been an injury, or infection. Waiting is all one can do, there is no magic cure or gimmic that will change things. I have seen floppy eared GSD's, it happens. A picture would be nice. Moons. |
Two Moons by missyfly96 on 26 October 2011 - 21:29 |
| I got the ear template from Bob on the database and used toilet paper roll. I have that glued in right now and the ear stays up perfectly with just that piece of cardboard in. I'm not holding out much hope in it fixing the ear at this age, but I felt it was worth a try. The first time I taped the ears up I let it stay in for almost a week took it out and the ears stayed up by themselves almost a week (that was about 3 weeks or so ago). So I don't know why they keep going back down when she is done teething. |
by Red Sable on 26 October 2011 - 21:47 |
| I just read your old post missy, and everyone telling you not to worry. Hmmmm. What is the pedigree on your pup? |
Red Sable by Two Moons on 26 October 2011 - 21:54 |
| Maybe try a few steroid injections, or corrective surgery. Sorry couldn't help it. |
by Dawulf on 26 October 2011 - 21:57 |
| Thanks Donner. :) She is a sweetie. <3 |
by Beardog on 26 October 2011 - 22:12 |
| Give it more time--If you tape the ears be extremely careful of infections around and under the tape |
Beardog by vandykan on 26 October 2011 - 22:35 |
| Give it more time. Your dog is still young.I have had 3 GSD so far and it took about a year to completely stay up on there own. It takes awhile for the cartilidge to develop in their ears in order for their ears to stand up. |
vandykan by missyfly96 on 26 October 2011 - 22:52 |
| Beardog I was careful with the taping. I would take it out every 5-7 days And clean them and check for infections She never had an ear infection Redsable that's why I posted this everyone said don't worry they will Go back up if they were up but I've been unlucky I guess Both here brothers ears r up no problem. I know it does not change the dog but if I can help the ears I would It is part of that German shepherd look She is sable working line sch titles on every dog both sides except mom I'm on my phone I'll put up the link to her pedigree later Sire is schindergraben lines Mom side goes back to Sid and Troll |
by Emoore on 26 October 2011 - 22:58 |
| If you husband has never seen a floppy ear on a German Shepherd, you husband hasn't seen too many German Shepherds. |
Emoore by missyfly96 on 26 October 2011 - 23:19 |
Emoore, |
by Paul15 on 27 October 2011 - 01:38 |
| My first GSD was an American Shepherd. Had the ears glued at 6 and 7 moths by the breeder. At 8months, I called every vet in the yellow pages(1997). The last one I called returned my call after office hours at 11"00 pm.I explained to her that the ears were down. She we were not out of options. I made an appointment. She said scarification may work but said no thanks. So she put foam posts down inside his ears and tapped the ears to support each other. I changed the tape weekly thinking the ears may come off but they didn't. After two months at 10 months old, the ears were up to stay until he died on DM at almost 8 years old. Ed Frawley's website used to have pictures of this method. But I would recommend a vet that knows how to show you. My bet was Dr. Nina Beyers, DVM in Mantua, NJ. She was wonderful. Paul PS: All I used to clean the ears weekly was witch hazel. Never had any infections. |
by CMills on 27 October 2011 - 01:53 |
| I'd say tape them, and LEAVE them taped for more than just a few days, if it were me, I'd leave them taped for 2 weeks as long as no problems. I feel you're taking them down too soon and not giving them a chance to firm up. |
CMills by missyfly96 on 27 October 2011 - 02:02 |
| Thanks Paul15 and cmills I'll try leaving the tape in longer I take it down because it gets dirty from being outside and to check the ears and make Sure they r not getting infected That is all I can do is keep trying if it works it works I just wanted everyone to know there is no guarantee on ears coming Back up after teething even if they were up before |
by Elkoorr on 27 October 2011 - 02:31 |
| My current pup has a slight ear issue. Currently 9 months old, she is a big girl and very masculine. She also was the last one of the litter to try to put her ears up. If she did, they were folding over her head making a "tent", but were going up and down daily, especially the left one. I finally started taping them at around 6 months old, which first it helped, but the left one came down again. I used mole skin and tear mender first. But she seemed bothered by it, actually trying to hold her ear down now. Then a club member mentioned using breath right nose strips. Didnt work on the insight. Taped it then on the out side of the ear which prevented her from putting that ear down. I had it taped for about 6 weeks and its completely standing now. It is still weaker than the right ear, and still a bit like a tent but its errect. I hope it will strenghten more while she matures. She is already oversize for the female standard; she will be huge for a girl. I also give Glucosamine , Vit C and plenty of chewy things. |
Elkoorr
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