Unintentionally pierced ear

My little guy got too close to a friend's ball and got nipped on the ear. It was bleeding quite a bit, so he was rushed to the vet and got a few stitches. They were removed on Sunday, and now that the scab has fallen off, we can see he has a small, perfectly round hole through his ear!

Will this heal by itself, like an unused piercing? Is there anything we can do to ensure it closes up? Do we need to worry about infections or pain? Should we buy him an eye patch and a pirate earring and have fun with it?

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Permalink Reply by Nicola Porter on December 14, 2010 at 1:35pm

I say have fun with it.....LOL

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Permalink Reply by LaRissa L. Head on December 14, 2010 at 4:07pm

I am not a vet so I don't have a serious answer for you. If you have a serious medical question i would suggest just calling the vet and having them answer over the phone. 9 times out of 10 my vet can answer any question i have with out seeing my dog.... but then again I am a worry wart!

As to the other part of the post...

I would soooo buy a big clip on hoop earring ( the kind people wear that don't have their ears pierced so it can pull right off if the dog tugs) and an eye patch. It will add to the thrill when your dog tells his grandpups of the many high seas adventures he had in his youth!

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on December 14, 2010 at 4:58pm

Got a pic? How in the world.... a ball?

Yes it will heal by itself, keep it dry and clean :)

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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on December 15, 2010 at 12:28am

Unless it turns red ,swells or feels warm to touch it should be fine. Just watch for these signs. Don't know if it will close or not!

Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Kari & Quin on December 15, 2010 at 11:58am

I am going to say it won't close but it should be fine. (an unused piercing once healed won't close completely either) Don't put a real earring in it though as it would get riped out during play.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on December 15, 2010 at 12:18pm

If it doesn't heal, you have a permanent conversation-starter when people ask about it:

"...oh, he got too close to a friend's ball..." That'll make 'em think.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Rentas on December 15, 2010 at 6:00pm

Here's a (bad) picture of the ear in question. The vet had to shave it before stitching it up. It's more weird than anything else. Thanks for the replies :)

To Kari: Don't worry - I wouldn't put a real earring in it, unless it was for a very controlled photo op. He actually *is* quite the sailor! Honestly, I'd probably be too freaked out about hurting him to actually go through with it!

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