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My dog's ears are floppy after surgery. Will they stand up again?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 8 years and 4 months old | 46 lbs

Hi Doc, Rolo’s ears flopped over because she had blood clots in both ears due to mites. The clots were surgically removed and the stitches have since been removed and the lacerations have healed nicely. Will her ears pop back up again or remain flopped over? She is a chowsky (chow husky)

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 20th, 2018

The outer ear of the dog (the pinna) is made of cartilage, and that is what helps Rolo's ears stand up. It sounds like she experienced some damage to her ears if she had a aural hematoma in them (what you referred to as blood clots), and there is the possibility that the cartilage was damaged enough that her ears will remain floppy. Over time, however, they may heal and her ears could return to standing up. Unfortunately I can't say for certain one way or another, only time will tell. Best of luck.

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