ELIZABETHAN COLLAR...dreaded lampshade

[bellasmum]

Hi, Can anyone give me any ideas, urgently needed please.Buddy is 8 months old, was neutured on Thursday and after being advised that he would not need to wear a collar, has been sent home with one.He is so unhappy, and I HATE THEM! He cant play with his toys, as he isnt able to reach his paws. He looks so forlorn.If I put my hands inside of the collar to stroke his head , he is inclined to bite with frustration.I have looked on the net for alternatives but am aware that because Bud is quite a long dog....bearded collie x lurcher ,that the soft ones may enable him to get to his stitches.We have to keep him like this for 10 days! has anyone any suggestions please....

[Bill]

I've had dogs neutered and not used a collar. Take it off and see what happens. He may not even try to lick the incision site.

[bellasmum]

Thanks for your reply Bill, HOWEVER Buddy is a dog of the "If I can I will" persuasion! even with the colllar he worked out that if he nudges one leg the collar moved back, so has started licking the stitches whilst wearing the collar! the vets advice was to put a t.shirt over his back legs,through the armholes, tail through the neck and tie the bottom to his collar, seems to be working, though its making him very subdued and of course its a battle to get the t.shirt on and off for toilet breaks.Its gonna be a long week!

[Syn]

I did this with my dog many years ago for the neutered thing. I hate those collars as much as the dog does. But I let my boy run naked, the very second he licked the "cone of dread" was back on. After a while... I took it off again, and the very second he licked, back on it went. It took all of two times and we retired the "cone of dread" to the waste can. If the vet will allow it a little petro jelly on the inscion could help with the pulling and ich.