My dog needs ear protection after surgery. What are my options?

This looks like an aural hematoma which is where blood from a capillary bursts and fills up the est between the two layers are cartilage. You can purchase a "no flap ear wrap" online to help with the flapping of the ears. Most commonly this problem needs a procedure done by a vet to allow the blood to drain while the two layers of cartilage re-adhere to one another. Also there is likely an ear infection that caused the shaking of the head to begin with that will likely need to be treated. If the blood is not drained the ear flap will eventually scar down and become a "cauliflower" ear which won't cause too many problems except that it isn't very cosmetic and sometimes they can be more prone to skin infections in the crevices of the cauliflower ear so this isn't recommended. I hope this helps.

It is hard to tell from a photo, but it almost looks like a laceration on the ear here? He may actually need sutures or surgical glue to close the wound. If he keeps traumatizing the ear, he may need to wear a bandage for a period of time to keep the ear from being repeatedly traumatized. I have heard good things about the "no flap ear wrap" https://www.noflapearwrap.com/. You could ask your vet if they feel this would be appropriate for your dog to use until this wound heals. He may need an e-collar as well if he is trying to get the wrap off.

Petco should have an inflatable collar that works like an e-collar. It looks a lot like an inflated inner tube and it helps keep her from being able to turn her head far enough to reach her incision site.

Sheesh!! I am surprised that a vet suggested cutting Snoofy's ear. It sounds like she may have an ear hematoma which is a blood blister, often caused by an ear infection. Your vet can try to drain the blood and then apply a bandage, there is also a product called the "no flap ear wrap " that can help prevent it re forming after draining. If you do nothing, she will get scar tissue and have an odd shaped ear. She may need treatment for an ear infection.

Hello. Poor baby. You can use an Elizabethan cone to keep her from reaching the area. There are the rigid plastic ones which might stress her out, so I would find one of the soft, flexible ones, or one that blows up like a soft neck collar. They also make body suits for dogs that can be used after surgeries & to protect wounds. You can ask your vet for a recommendation but here is one you can buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Suitical-Recovery-Suit-Dogs-medium/dp/B00W2EHJWE. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Post up care for an uncomplicated incision is 7 days of keeping it clean and dry. If an e collar will not fit and it bothers him, you can always put a baby sock over his nails. If his collar can't go due to the incision you can always switch to a halter or use a leash an incorporate one arm thru to hold him

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Aural hematomas are very frustrating because they often re-fill. I find the best way is to get a tube (like a toilet paper roll or a similar shaped roll that is smaller in size, depending on the size of your dog), and wrapping that in a layer of soft padding. Then place the roll on the inside of the ear, and then you have to wrap the ear around this, and then you often have to wrap this to the head and get an E-collar to prevent scratching the bandage off. You have to use proper bandage material to allow proper air-flow, as well as making sure the wrapping isn't too tight (the blood flow can be cut off and the ear can die and fall off) or too loose (the bandage just falls off). I recommend having this bandage applied by your local clinic. It is a bit of a challange, and even the best ear bandages often fall off and need to be replaced. Best of luck with the ear!