Does he still have to wear a cone?”Absolutely! A veterinarian will generally advise that a pet wear an e-collar if they have an open wound, a hot spot, a lump, a wart, etc. Having your pet wear a cone while we are trying to clear up any kind of infection on the skin is a crucial step in the healing process!
Even if your dog looks sad or annoyed that he can't lick or scratch his incision, it's never a good idea to take his cone off and allow him to do so. Healing incisions can easily become opened or infected in just a few licks, leading to potentially complicated treatments, discomfort, and added costs.
You should not take a dog's cone off at night. If you do take the cone off when your dog is sleeping, it could wake up and irritate the wound leading to infection and the possibility of further surgery.
Most sutures and staples are left in for 10-14 days. Other lesions may take less or more time than that to heal completely. A good general rule is to leave it on until the re-check appointment with your vet, at which time you will be advised as to whether the cone can come off or should remain on.
The cone needs to stay on the entire time the dog is healing, especially if you won't be around to watch her. You can consider taking the cone off during walks, or try using a longer leash until the dog becomes spatially aware of what's around them while wearing the cone.
T-shirts. Forelimb wounds: Long-sleeved T-shirts knotted at the waist to secure them are a handy way to protect sutures located on your pet's forelimb. Abdomen wounds: Short-sleeved T-shirts knotted at the waist are a good way to protect sutures located on your pet's abdomen.
The Soft E-Collar
Many veterinary clinics offer these or similar now as an alternative to the hard plastic cone. They are soft and crumple if the pet runs into anything such as your legs or the walls! They also make it less awkward for your pet to eat and drink.
If your furry companion is on the smaller side, a “onesie” may be a good choice. Made of soft, stretchy fabric, this bodysuit covers cats and dogs beginning at the neck, along the body and over the hindquarters. There are holes for the legs and tail to pass through.
“You can also help by holding the cone up to guide them if they seem to be scared, and [they're holding] their head down.” But sometimes it's best to just help take your dog's mind off his cone altogether by giving him a treat or a toy.
Alternatives to the “cone of shame” are inflatable collars, soft E-collars and neck brace collars. Try covering the wound with soft fabric secured by medical tape to prevent licking. Keep pets busy with other fun things to distract them from licking wounds.
Excessive licking can irritate the incision site causing inflammation, leading to further infection, and will even cause it to reopen. Licking and chewing on the wound will also tear the sutures and require you to visit the vet again to close it properly.
75% of dog owners remove the cone within the first 24 hours of returning home from the veterinarian. Lick Sleeve removes discomfort and increases compliancy 100% of the time. Undue stress is caused when a dog's senses are hampered by the cone.
To keep your pooch from accessing its wound, you can put on garments and accessories to safely cover the affected site. Compression sleeves, collars, or onesies can prevent your pet from licking topical ointments, biting or rubbing the wound, and pulling off the dressing on the surgical site.
Combining sturdy bandages with boxer shorts, sweaters, onesies and even booties can be extremely effective in deterring your pet from licking or scratching. While this may not work for all dogs, it's a good trick to try out after an operation and can be far more liberating than the cone of shame!
If your pet has a short face or doesn't tolerate cones, an inflatable collar may be a better option. The donut-shaped Kong Cloud Collar is ideal for short-nosed dogs because it still prevents them from licking most surgical sites but lets them eat more easily than a traditional cone.
If it's wet or raining outside, cover the wound and/or bandage with plastic, and don't let your dog lay down where it's wet or muddy. Do not apply any ointments, antibiotic creams, disinfectants, or other substances to the incision unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian.
For wounds on the torso, a t-shirt may do the trick. For the front half of the body, put a t-shirt on in the natural way. For wound in the back half of the body, put the t-shirt on backwards, with the tail going through the hole for the head and the rear legs going into the arms.
Soft E-Collars
Sometimes the best alternative is the one that is the most similar to the popular option. The soft e-collar uses the same concept as the traditional Elizabethan version, but has a soft cone, which makes it easier for your pet to move.
A basket muzzle is a great alternative to the typical e-collar (also known as a cone) to prevent your pup from licking or chewing at stitches or a wound. Most dogs dislike the experience of wearing an e-collar.
An inflatable collar is a great dog cone alternative which looks just like a neck pillow. These are puffy and padded and are ideal for taking a break from a plastic cone, but are generally not a good idea for constant wear.
Rolled leather collars are great for dogs with long fur because it prevents matting. These collars have a timeless style and can last a great length of time if properly cared for. They typically have a belt buckle closure, which adds to the classic look.
1. Absolutely no licking of the incision area is allowed! If your pet is going to lick or begins to lick their incision, they need to wear an E-Collar (plastic cone) for 7-10 days after surgery. A pet can pull out stitches easily which can lead much more damage.
Licking might offer some protection against certain bacteria, but there are serious drawbacks to letting your dog lick wounds. Excessive licking can lead to irritation, paving the way for hot spots, infections, and potential self-mutilation. Licking and chewing can also slow healing by reopening wounds.
Dogs are not immune to infections due to the slight antibacterial properties of their saliva. Allowing them to lick your wound doesn't make it heal any faster, and it is not a terribly effective way to prevent infections either.