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Home Alternatives To Elizabethan Collar To Keep Any Pet Comfortable After Surgery

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 they work quite well in many cases, these collars can cause distress for some animals. This is because an animal's sense of hearing can be altered by the cone around their face. It can also make it difficult for some animals to eat and drink as it may block the bowl or the plate that the dog or cat is trying to eat off of. Others may have difficulty moving and may panic if their collar gets caught on a door frame or piece of furniture.

There may be many different reasons why a dog should not lick a particular part of their body. They may be recovering from surgery and if an incision is licked they may either develop an infection or dissolve their sutures. If an incision opens up it can quickly become a serious medical emergency.

Covering a canine's body with a t-shirt or other child's garment can be one way to help them heal. Some dogs will work clothing off of their body or nose it aside to reach an affected area. This method also tends to work better if used to cover the torso or stomach rather than a limb.

Another alternative is to use an inflatable collar that prevents the dog or cat from turning their head and getting at a particular part of their body. These can be quite comfortable and make it easy for a pet to eat and drink. It is also less likely that a pet will catch themselves on a door or on furniture with an inflatable collar.

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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