A worrying practice has emerged in China, with increasingly more owners opting for elective surgery on their pets.
The goal, via plastic surgery, is to create "Mickey Mouse ears". Experts have expressed their alarm at this practice, which causes physical and psychological stress to the animals.
A long operation
Doctor Liu Yundon, of Loving Care International Pet Medical Centre in Beijing explains that the procedure is made up of two parts. The first, is surgical removal of some of the ear, which requires anaesthesia of around half an hour. The ears are subsequently shaped, to stand upright, in a process that can take between 20 to 60 days.
While the operation may be legal in China, vet hospitals in bigger cities are reluctant to carry out the procedure. Many have refused to perform surgery, but unfortunately it is ongoing in breeding facilities, confirms Yundon.
Important consequences
Doctor Chen Yong, of Shenzhen Lianhe Pet Hospital, warns that, with the natural structure of the ear compromised, the procedure may even result in damaging behaviours between animals.
The shocking trend has faced significant backlash online, with many animal lovers feeling these surgeries are a form of animal abuse, and that under no circumstance should they be considered a gesture of love for the dog or cat in question.
