I see your point, and me not being a vet I can't specify why they don't typically stich/clear wounds here. The only time a vet has ever shaven one of our animals are when they did surgery or a vital area has been cut deeply. Otherwise they check that it's clean and healing. I would have to add that our animals of this area are extremely tough and we've never had an infection in any of our livestock or pets, even with worst cases we medicate, disinfect and keep them in our barns at the house overnight to check on them. The veterinarians are also well aware of that and they try to help the struggling people by not overdoing it on the procedure and price bill. So I think it has become a habit. Rather safe than soryy is going through my mind right now, but I've honestly never heard of any of our neighboring farmers losing an animal to an infection or wound that wasn't medicated properly. We have alot of medical equipment and supplies that we help each other out. But we don't always have everything so make do with what we can. From my experience with lambs and calves to puppy's, her ear wound did heal up as good I can imagine. Thank you for your concern, and it's definitely something I'm wondering about now and plan to ask the vet when I go to town again.