Friday, February 19, 2016

How To Pick Alternatives To Elizabethan Collar That Are Right For Your Dog

By Patricia Kennedy


Taking care of our canine companions can be both fun and rewarding. Unfortunately it is only a matter of time until they need surgery or a medical condition comes up that requires them to leave a portion of their body alone for an extended period of time. Since it is impossible to explain to dogs why they need to leave certain areas alone, it is important to have methods of preventing them from licking or chewing at their bodies. Here are some alternatives to Elizabethan collar that you can use.

These devices can go by several different nick names. Sometimes they are referred to as a cone or as an e-collar. The device looks like an inverted lampshade that is attached around a dog's neck. This is either accomplished by slipping the collar through loops at the small end of the cone or by threading a piece of gauze through the loops and then tying it around a dog's regular collar. The idea behind them is that they prevent a canine from being able to get at their body or limbs.

While some dogs don't have a problem wearing these items many do. Smaller canines may catch theirs against the ground when they walk. Some canines don't like how the cone distorts sound when it is being worn. Also, other dogs may have issues when they try to eat or drink unless their bowls have been elevated. Larger dogs may end up damaging their surroundings with their cone.

If a pet has had surgery it is a bad idea for them to lick the area where the incision is located. Licking can introduce bacteria into the incision and may allow infection to start. It can also quickly dissolve the sutures and allow an incision to open up. Either of these things can mean costly veterinary bills and can mean that your pet's recovery time will be greatly increased. Nobody wants their cat or dog to be uncomfortable or to have to undergo unnecessary surgery.

One alternative to the dreaded cone is to use a tee shirt or pair of shorts to cover the incision. This works very well when an incision was made on the pet's stomach, sides or back. It may work less well if the affected area was on a leg or tail since these can be easier for the dog to reach. If you do decide to try this method of covering the affected area you do need to monitor your pet.

There are inflatable rings that keep a dog from turning its head. This means that they may not be able to access different parts of their body and therefore be unable to lick. You may want to try and fit your dog with one of these devices before resorting to a cone. It is also a good idea to monitor your pet in the beginning to make sure that your dog cannot access the area that is trying to heal.

Some dogs may have licked their skin raw or have an infection that needs to heal without the dog aggravating it. If this is the case with your canine you might want to try a bitter-tasting spray that can be applied to the skin. The idea is that the dog will not like the flavor and leave the skin alone.

A veterinarian should be able to give you advice on how to prevent your dog from licking or chewing an area on their body. They may have ideas about products that will not interact with any medicine your dog takes and let you know how long the recovery period can be expected to last.




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