tattooing puppies - Page 1

I was just wondering if anyone tattoos their puppies themselves and what kind of equipment they use. I am thinking about ordering the Hautpner tattooing kit from Leerburg kennels. I cannot find anyone even close to me that tattoos dogs so I am thinking I will have to tattoo my own pups if I want them to be tattooed. Is there anything I should worry about damaging when I am tatooing a pup? Mysti

If you order the whole kit from Leerburg I believe you get a DVD on how to tattoo your pups.

I use the Hauptner equipment and it is the top of the line so to speak. As far as damage, you need to beware the "veins" in the ear. These are the thick vertical cartilage ridges. As long as the tattoo is placed "on centre" of the ear there should be little chance of damage. Sanitation is important, as you no doubt know. The ear should be swabbed clean with a cosmetic pad that is dampened with hydrogen peroxide and then allowed to dry throroughly before tattooing. I use a new tooth brush and a clean bowl partially filled with rubbing alcohol to clean the characters beween tattoos. If you will set up your tattoo so you only need to change the last digit it will make it easier to avoid a mistake. I use a clean piece of paper to "proof" the tattoo, and then tattoo the puppy's records folder immediately before the final sterilization and application of the tattoo to the ear. Beware the dam while this is going on, as the puppies scream for several seconds. Also beware her after the tattoo as she will try to lick the little bit of blood from the ear and wipe away the ink. This is a two (2) person job to do well. Your helper should sit in a chair with the puppy's hind feet in their lap, and hold the puppy vertical so that its spine is against the helpers breastplate while the helpers RIGHT hand holds the puppy's belly just under the front legs. The helper should place the palm of their LEFT hand under the puppy's lower jaw and wrap the fingers around the snout to hold the head steady. This gives you more room to work on the RIGHT side of the puppy's head. Check to see that the plier is set so that the pricks of the characters just do touch the rubber pad on the opposite side. If they penetrate the rubber at all, then the plier is not adjusted correctly and needs to be backed off. During the tattoo a few of the pricks may barely puncture the back of the ear if the plier is adjusted correctly. The Hauptner plier is usually correct right from its box, but should still be checked before its first use. You will apply a copious layer of ink before application of the plier, and after the initial set and clamp you will need to use your thumb and forefinger to massage the ink into the fresh wound for several seconds. You no doubt will use sterile disposal gloves, and have plenty of paper towels available to wipe the ink from your hands between puppies. You will need a good box to store your equipment. One that works well for me is a red cedar box that I purchased at a craft fair for just a couple of bucks. Bob-O