Hi! It’s me, Goose! I have been going with Mom a lot to the vet hospital recently. I like it a lot. I love my Mom. I love watching her work. I keep seeing these pets with huge collars around their necks. I know what they are because Mom puts one on me fairly often. Sometimes, even when I am scratching an itch.
Mom says these are called Elizabethan collars (also known as an E-collar or the cone of shame) and it is a plastic or fabric hood or cone that helps protect injuries or wounds from further damage. I image it gets great TV reception. I know that is normal for dogs to lick their wounds, but mom says this can delay healing or even lick out sutures which means she gets to see your pet again.
I get used to the collar after a few hours, just like most dogs and cats do. Mom says you can ease the transition by keeping your dog in a confined space where there are no small movable objects such as stools, chairs, and tables which would move if knocked. Sometimes changing from a hard plastic to soft collar or donut collar helps too.
A correctly sized collar should allow for normal feeding and drinking. If your dog refuses to eat with the collar on, try offering food in a shallow dish or plate. If you feel you must remove the protective collar, make sure your dog is supervised, and replace it as soon as the meal is finished.
Mom just went into an exam room. I’m going to check out the TV reception when I have a collar on. . .
