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

By Patricia Kennedy


As guardians of our feline and canine companions, it is our job to keep them healthy and comfortable. Sometimes for our pets surgery is a necessity and this may result in us needing to find creative alternatives to keep them comfortable and allow them to heal. Alternatives to Elizabethan collar and other tricks may help you manage your cat or dog's discomfort and get them on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.

If you have ever seen a dog wearing what looks to be an inverted lampshade around its head, you know what an Elizabethan collar looks like. It is usually attached to a dog's neck via their collar or via a piece of gauze or cord that holds it in place and can prevent a dog from kicking it off with their feet. Often, a vet will require a dog to wear one following surgery or if the canine has developed a skin issue.

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.

Many people think that a dog can lick a wound and heal it. This is often not the case. Licking can introduce bacteria. It can also dissolve stitches and open up a wound. This can cause a medical emergency if the wound or incision opens up completely.

One alternative to an e-collar is to use a t-shirt or other piece of clothing to cover the incision. Some pets will leave an area alone if they cannot immediately get at a wound. A natural cloth garment will allow air to get at the incision and allow it to heal as quickly as possible. Some pets will work at getting a garment off so if you try this method make sure you are monitoring them until you know whether or not they leave the area alone.

Another option is one of the inflatable rings that are fitted on a dog's neck. The idea behind this device is to prevent them from being able to turn their head and lick their body. While it can work well for some dogs, others are able to work around the ring and reach the parts of their body that are bothering them. Make sure you are using a ring that is the right size and which is fully inflated.

If you are not dealing with an incision you may be able to use something like bitter apple to make an area taste unappealing. Just make sure that the product you use is non-toxic and made for such a purpose. There are certain creams and lotions that you can apply which will help heal the skin and deter a pet from licking.

If you are unsure how a particular product will work for your pet, you can always speak with your veterinarian as they may have other ideas that you can use so that using the cone can be avoided. You may need to be creative but there are ways that you can help your pet recover.




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