Cleaning ears after tatooing

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Started tattooing my rabbits end of last year. Followed instructions and have had good results - except when it comes to cleaning the excess ink off of their ears. Instructions I had said to leave the ink on and then a few days later come back and clean it off.

Have tried baby oil, vaseline, and water and it doesn't seem to do much better than just letting it wear off on its own.

Anybody have a "magic trick" they care to share? Thanks in advance.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Are you using a clamp or a pen? I use a pen and wipe the ears to check for ink penetration, and retouch any digits that aren't dark enough. I then go over each digit one last time and leave the ink as is.

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

I use a clamp. Just prior to putting the ink on, I usually check to see how I did - not that I can re-do anything that's not clear. I'm getting much better at it. First few batches weren't all that deep but these last few are coming out clear as a bell.<br /><br />__________ Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:22 am __________<br /><br />Should I be wiping the extra ink off before it dries - right after I apply it? I worry that I'll wipe it out of the fresh pin-holes. Comments?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I never had much luck with my clamp. I even used a cotton swab to try to rub more ink into the holes, but it was always hit and miss for me.

I watched a video of a new pen tattoo- the link is here somewhere- it was designed by a tattoo artist for his daughter's rabbit tattooing. He recommends putting neosporin on the ear and then tattooing with the pen. I'm not sure if this would work for you since it might cause the ink to bead up, but it is worth a try. It would be a simple matter to then wipe the excess off of the ear.

 

[Secuono]

What if you glob some ink on first and then use the clamp and rub in after that? Hoping ink will rub into tiny holes seems like a lot of luck is needed.

 

[Random Rabbit]

We clamp. ( my handwriting is awful !! lol)
I clamp, apply the ink and rub it in good. Then take a Clean cotton ball with a dab of Prep H... and make a single wipe across the tattoo. Any additional wipes are done with other Clean cotton balls. Sometimes need 3 or 4 wipes until i can See the tattoo marks. Then i just leave it alone . I try to get a look at it after a few days... just to be certain they are readable.

 

[skysthelimit]

I do the same as RR, except i ink int ear before and after I clamp. Them while with Pre H. One year and the tatt is still clear.

 

[WallTenter]

I do the same as skysthelimit - I put ink on, clamp, rub ink into the tatoo with the brush, then I use just a plain watered cotton swap and wipe, then dry swaps a bit. Besides maybe one letter on a most recent recruit so far all of my tattoos are very clear.

For those who use the pens - how do you keep it straight and legible? I can't even write with a marker in their ear without it looking like someone on an acid trip was trying to copy down the bible.

 

[skysthelimit]

Well, my first pen tatts make a three year old look like a calligraphist. I like to write with a sharpie first, then try to trace it. The bigger the tatt, the better it is.

 

[Lastfling]

I found that writing with an extra-fine sharpie and using the writing as a pattern to follow with the pen takes a lot of the sloppiness away. I've got some that were freehanded that make you guess --

 

[grumpy]

Clamp-style for me at the present.

No special things I do. Just clamp "hard" and vigorously
rub the tattoo ink into the ear with a stiff bristle brush.

It will wear off "eventually". I've had very few that weren't easily legible.

I'm considering getting a "pen" in the near future. Never tried one before, but an old rabbit buddy switched a couple of years ago and swears by it now.

grumpy.