Sunday 1 May 2016

The Possible Alternatives To Elizabethan Collar

By Christine Meyer


The regular cone collar is made of stiff plastic usually translucent or opaque in color. The design is such where it fits around your pet's neck and forms the shape of an ice cream cone with the small end around the animal's neck and the larger end extending past their nose. This keeps the animal from getting to any place on their body. The alternatives to Elizabethan collar or cone collar works and is essential for surgery, skin conditions, hot spots, etc.

Although essential in these types of situations, there are drawbacks of having to live with an animal that has one of these devices around their necks. If you have a larger or energetic dog they will bang into everything with this cone knocking over things on tables, running into doors, and creating general havoc while they go through their daily routines.

The sad truth, they are often necessary following a surgical procedure. However, there are alternatives. Not all vets are aware or would even care that there are better options. As the owner, you are responsible for insisting on a better choice.

Thankfully, pet accessories are a profitable market and some clever people have come out with alternative devices to protect your pet in a similar fashion as the cone.

The Cone - This design splays out from the animals neck, encompasses the full head and ears. In general, they cause the most disorientation. The good news is they are available in softer versions but even these have some disadvantages. Dogs can still rub their eyes, and still cannot see correctly. The soft versions cannot be wiped down and require constant washing. It is also still difficult for them to feed and judge surroundings. But your dog will love you a lot more (if that is even possible) with one of this softer version.

The E-collar alternatives tend to be firm. Some of them have multiple uses. For instance, the Hagar collar is also used as a brace to the pet's neck, leg, or the torso and also as an IV splint. This means that it offers the necessary preventing support without affecting the pet's peripheral view. It still performs its primary role of restricting the pet from accessing the wound.

Finally, there are soft collars that are made in the same design as the traditional cone shape. These are made of either a softer plastic or a nylon material over stiff foam padding. These are very comfortable for the animal and do work. They give if some object is encountered and bend if needed. It is still possible for the animal to reach areas around the hind quarters if they work at it.

Since you will likely have to put up with the infamous cone collar at some point you should research and have an alternative cone in hand. They are all very reasonable and from my personal experience are well worth the money for you, your home and your pet.




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