Dog Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery has been around for decades. Centuries, if you're talking about cosmetic surgery for dogs. Ear cropping and tail docking have been standard among many breeds and types for ages - literally, and if you're talking about certain breeds, the Doberman is a good example, for as long as the breed has existed.

The cropping and docking debate isn't the subject today, although I will say that both sides make good arguments for their cause.

Nope. Today's subject matter is the more esoteric stuff. Facelifts, boob jobs, machismo saving implants, braces, ear lifts, wrinkle reductions, crowns, tummy tucks . . . You get the picture.

Honestly, we're getting a little carried away with the whole concept of pet plastic surgery. It has been around for a long time, but in a limited sense and mostly a matter of perceived health benefits to the animal or convenience to the owner. Procedures like de-barking or de-clawing aren't for looks; they're a surgical method of dealing with behaviors that are less than acceptable to owners - or the neighbors, and while considered cruel and unusual punishment by a segment of the pet loving populace, they aren't performed to satisfy the owner's aesthetic sensibilities. Well, other than a preference for having one's upholstery maintain its structural integrity.

Cosmetic procedures for the sake of vanity are becoming popular enough that breed registries are finding themselves having to specifically prohibit certain alterations (including dye jobs) in animals that compete for conformation titles.

Some of these procedures can have real health benefits. Wrinkle reductions are a good example. Some breeds, particularly the brachiocephalic ones that have skin wrinkles around the muzzle, head and neck can be at risk for yeast, fungal and bacterial infections if the wrinkling is extreme and can't be kept clean and dry with reasonable efforts.

The brachiocephalic breeds are also prime candidates for nose jobs to improve air flow or correct malformations. Even a long nosed breed like the German Shepherd can have a deviated septum that interferes with breathing -- or keeps the owner up all night listening to snoring and sleep apnea. That kind of problem can have a serious effect on temperament as well. When we don't sleep properly we tend to get grouchy, but when we snap at someone annoying there's not going to be a needle stuck in our vein for the long good night.

Eye lifts are mostly done for health reasons as well. Breeds like the Chow Chow and Sharpei are prone to an ocular condition known as entropion; the eyelid and lashes are malformed so that they rub against the eyeball. In most cases it is extremely painful, causing ulcerated corneas, advancing to blindness if left untreated. The eyelid must be surgically reshaped to keep the lashes from rubbing against the eyeball.

Other procedures, like orthodontia, caps and root canals do have practical applications, even though they seem a bit extreme to many, especially since we'd rather just pull the tooth and be done with it in ourselves and can't imagine our pets wouldn't rather have the same, although they're out for the duration and don't (we hope) have any idea of the heroic measures being taken with their teeth. Tightening up a too loose lip or tucking a chin on a Mastiff who drools too much is another example that has real health benefits. When the lips have too pronounced a droop and result in excessive drooling it can cause mouth infections, which can in turn affect the liver, kidneys and even heart valves.

However, it's becoming fashionable to have these types of surgeries performed for the sole purpose of improving a dog's look. Some vets are beginning to specialize in cosmetic procedures; lifting sagging teats after a litter, thin silicone implants to make limp ears perkier, liposuction . . . oh, and don't forget the Neuticals.

So what's next? Burt Barks crowning the new Miss American Show Dog? Does Smilin' Bob have something in his bag of tricks to make your dog feel more self confident and put a Springer in his step?

Provided by the writers at Discount Pet Mall: Where you can find huge discounts on pet gates.