70 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



The correct "crop" for the Bull Terrier and Black-and-tan Ter- 

 rier diifers considerably from that given to the Dane. It is a very 

 close "crop" the greater part of the lobe being removed, and the 

 flap being cut long and narrow. When properly done, this "crop" 

 gives to the animal a very alert and sharp appearance. It is best 

 done at the age of six to twelve months, i. e., not until the flaps are 

 well developed. 



Persons who are expert in cropping animals of these two 

 breeds rarely use clamps, depending rather upon their skill to pro- 

 duce an even result. As already stated, clamps cannot be applied 

 so as to render the completion of the operation possible at one step, 

 nevertheless it is wisest for the beginner to make use of them to 

 the extent that it is possible. A curved clamp is necessary in this 

 case, and general anesthesia should also be employed. 



The flaps are first juxtaposed and snipped as in the preced- 

 ing case. 



The next step is to apply the curved clamp with its concave side 

 towards the. portion to be excised, the outer edge of its upper end 

 corresponding to the snip, its lower including as much of the burr as 

 possible. The clamp being screwed tight, the projecting portion of 

 the flap is severed as already described, and the clamp is removed. 

 The burr must now be removed, and this is accomplished with scis- 

 sors by extending the section from the inferior extremity of the new 

 border. The other ear having received similar treatment the first 

 part of -the operation is complete. The after-treatment is no less 

 important than the actual cutting process. A "crop" of this nature 

 can rarely be depended upon to heal as is desired, i. e., with certainty 

 that it will stand properly erect, without some sort of support being 

 afforded during cicatrization, for the reason that kinks are apt to 

 form at the wounded border if the flap is allowed to hang over. 

 Hence, it is necessary to provide some sort of splint. The best 

 device to meet this exigency consists of a strip of stout paste-board 

 shaped somewhat larger than the modified flap. Two such pieces 

 being prepared, holes are bored in them near either end and short 

 lengths of twine or tape are passed through these and fastened by 

 tying. This splint should not be applied until a few days succeed- 

 ing the operation or until all hemorrhage has subsided. It is then 

 smeared on its side opposite to that from which the tapes project, 

 with ordinary carpenter's glue, and fitted and pressed firmly against 



