82 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



tissue is to be found. Suture material is passed at intervals 

 of about a quarter of an inch right through the flap from 

 above to below, across the incision and again to the upper 

 surface, upon \\'hich each suture is tied in a surgical knot. 

 The object of this is to produce a iirm pressure on the 

 internal surfaces, and at the same time to bring the edges of 

 the incision in contact \Nith each other. This having been 

 completed, and the parts again carefulh' dried, the whole ear 

 is placed in a pad of aseptic wadding and bandaged firmly 

 to the head ; a cap or net placed over this is of ad\'antage if 

 the animal attempts to remove it. 



After-treatment consists in examining the wound once or 

 twice daily, pressing out any iluid which may be present, 

 carefully drying and bandaging again ^\•ith aseptic wadding. 



The average length of time required to effect a cure is 

 about ten days ; in some cases the bandage can be left off 

 ^\•ithin a week, in other cases it \\ill be found necessar\' to 

 keep up the treatment for a fortnight, or even three 

 \\eeks. 



Whichever method of operating is adopted, it ^^■ill always 

 be found of advantage in the dog to utilize the bandage or 

 ear-cap in order to protect the animal from shaking the head 

 and again bruising the ear. Proper caps or nets for the 

 purpose can be purchased, but an improvised one can readily 

 be made from a piece of linen and a few pieces of tape, 

 which tie underneath the throat and jaw, a hole being made 

 for the other ear to pass through, as this materially assists in 

 keeping the cap in position (Fig. 53). 



In the cat this is not absolutely necessar\-, as the com- 

 paratively short, upstanding ears of this animal do not allow 

 of the flap being injured so readily as that of the dog \\-hen 

 the head is shaken ; even here, however, a bandage or cap 

 is often useful, as it gives a certain amount of protection 

 against scratching and rubbing. In applying a bandage, care 

 must be taken that it is not put on too tightly, or necrosis of 



