Elizabethan collar causing stress

[Birdie'sMom]

Hi - I am starting a new thread about Birdie's paw pad injury. We got it bandaged up and she wouldn't leave it alone, so we bought the Elizabethan Collar. She has not moved since we put in on her about an hour ago, and she is panting and drooling so much that there is a puddle in front of her. She won't lay down. I don't know what to do. Will she get used to it or is this how it's going to be? Is this stress going to hurt her? I'm afraid she's going to pass out or something.

I guess I should have put one of these on her a few times when she was a puppy to get her used to it in case she ever needed to wear one. I didn't think of it at the time, though.

I feel so bad for her.

[spidey]

Did you try spraying the bandage with Bitter End/Bitter Apple? Might be a way to avoid the stress of the collar.

Also, remember to keep the bandage clean and dry, a wet bandage can be extremely dangerous.

[moondog]

One more thing...did you put any neosporin or similar on the sore? That will help soothe it so it's not driving her bonkers.

The elizabethan collars are very depressing for a dog, but sometimes it's a necessary evil. They don't realize that they can move with it on at first. I think I'd put a leash on her and walk her around a little bit so she gets the idea that she can move with it on. Help her through doorways by guiding the edge of it - they generally will bump the edge on the frame. Ask for a sit and give her a treat. She still won't like the thing, but once she figures out that she can still do things with it on, she should relax a bit. Also, check to make sure you don't have it on too tight...it should fit like a regular collar, no tighter.

Also, remember to take it off periodically and offer water. Most dogs can't get a drink with it on.

[fbkeays]

Some dogs just mentally shut down. I have a few friends with different breeds and their dogs never "got used to" the e-collar.
There is another danger to the e-collar that I discovered. When Misty had her TPLO a few years ago, she was obsessed with getting to the stitches. I put an e- collar on her and she was still obsessed. She was so obsessed with getting to the stitches that she couldn't reach that she ended up nearly sawing her foot in half with the edge of the collar. That was when I got the "no-bite" collar.
Another alternative is a basket muzzle.

[moondog]

Francis, debbiej had the same problem with the edge of the elizabethan collar and came up with a very clever solution:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=40574

The bitenot won't work if it's the front paws that the sores are on. With a basket muzzle, wouldn't she still be able to lick?

[RottyMom]

I couldn't use the e-collar on Bear when he was neutered...he just freaked and I mean freaked out. I ended up getting some spray from the vet and had him under almost constant supervision (it was in the summer so I was on vacation and the kids were too) and just basically managed it that way. It was quite stressful for all involved but we managed to get through it. The front paw is another story though isn't it? Maybe a muzzle is the way to go. Good luck.

[Birdie'sMom]

Yes it is the front paw. I had to go to a bridal shower and was gone for 2 hours. She was still in the same spot when I came home and was shaking so bad. I took it off and she went crazy running all over the place. I let her out and gave her some water. I have to go out again in an hour, so I'll have to put it back on. This is torture for both of us. She just won't stop licking, though.

I'm going to try moondog's suggestion of walking her around on the leash when the collar is on. I did try to give her a treat, but she is too upset for a treat when the collar is on. That's how I know it's bad - Birdie NEVER refuses a treat.

[Birdie'sMom]

Originally Posted by moondog

One more thing...did you put any neosporin or similar on the sore? That will help soothe it so it's not driving her bonkers.
.

Yes - we did put neosporin on it. That stuff works so well on humans, I was hoping it would work on canines, too.

[debbiej]

that swimming pool hose around the edge of the collar was because he was scraping the edge of the collar right over his incision--OUCH! He didn't mind the collar that much, he was kind of a bull in a china shop, but it didn't stress him. Hilda did freak out and we used a tee shirt on her. but all their incisions were toward the back of the body. what about taping a thick sock over the bandage? or some kind of plastic "cast".....maybe a pint milk bottle with the mouth cut just wide enough to insert her foot? Look at a picture on the internet of the No Bite collar. I think it would keep a dog from biting their front paw.

[Birdie'sMom]

She is much better with it today. We are changing the bandage twice a day and mostly leaving the collar on her, except when she eats and when she is outside on a leash. The drooling stopped. She's moving around, although still gets freaked when she bumps into the walls or door frames She's not really shaking anymore. The only thing she's still doing is panting, but not as much as yesterday. I couln't get a vet appointment until tomorrow night. I'm going to see what they can give us for the allergies and have them take a look at her paw, too.

Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions. I have to say you guys are pretty creative!

[Judi W]

The no bite collar does not work for things in the front, only the rear. It keeps the dog from being able to twist its neck to get to their rear end.

If protecting the front, I prefer a bucket to the huge sticking out ecollar. It is just as effective but doesn't stick out banging into things.

[Birdie'sMom]

Originally Posted by Judi W

If protecting the front, I prefer a bucket to the huge sticking out ecollar. It is just as effective but doesn't stick out banging into things.

I don't want to sound dumb, but what's a bucket? Do you mean a real bucket or is there another device that can be used?

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by Judi W

The no bite collar does not work for things in the front, only the rear. It keeps the dog from being able to twist its neck to get to their rear end.

If protecting the front, I prefer a bucket to the huge sticking out ecollar. It is just as effective but doesn't stick out banging into things.

Hmm....do you mean a plastic sand pail with the back end cut out?