The Elizabethan Collar

Purr · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 553

Preventing self-injury is an important part of home care for sick pets. The recovering patient may harm themselves by rubbing, scratching, or chewing their wounds or surgery sites. The Elizabethan collar is a type of collar used to prevent self-infury until the healing is complete.

Basically, the Elizabethan collar is a cone shaped collar that fits around the pet's neck. I think the name Elizabethan derives from the fancy neck collars in style during the time of Queen Elizabeth I.

Has anyone used one of these with their pet? What was their reaction? How do you get the pet to keep it on?

I've had only one experience with the collar, which was disasterous. It happened with Purr. I got her spayed when she was just shy of 6 months old, and the vet sent me home with the collar. I tried putting the collar on her, and Purr went ballistic. When I did finally get it on her, she wiggled herself out of it. She was one mad cat! After a tug of war over getting her to wear it, I just gave up. Purr bit into her stitches as they were healing, and of course they got infected. Purr had to have a round of antibiotics to clear it up. What a mess!

Larinda McRaven · Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 36 Location: CT

yeah I avoided the collar the one time my vet suggested it. Isabelle had just been spyed and was licking her stitches. I opted instead for a tee shirt that she wore and I pinned up the bottom between her legs. It was much more humane and she looked really cute.

Jonathan · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 208 Location: San Diego

What a great idea Larinda! Very Happy

squirrel · Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 155 Location: Bucharest, Romania

When my cat was spayed, the vet told me to leave her without collar and be careful if she licks the wounds too much... luckily, she preferred not to... she had these self-absorbing stitches that healed ok... Smile

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David · Site Admin Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 82

Here are some instructions on making your own Elizabethan Collar
http://www.petalert.com.au/faid/faa5.php

darskayairene · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Posts: 148

It is difficult to put on something on a cat. When my cat fell from the 5th floor and injured his leg, he was put on a plaster on this leg. He took it off in half of an hour as soon as the effect of anesthesia had passed. Next day he was put on a plaster again and again it was taken off in 10 minutes. I decided not to take care of it and he was given a freedom. By the way, his leg is ok now without any plasters.

dTas · Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:49 pm Post subject:

cats...

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you own a dog, you feed a cat

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Larinda McRaven · Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 36 Location: CT

So ISabelle has some really bad inherited problems with hboth knees and hips. Unfortunately she will end up having a few surgeries throughout her life. We just did surgery #1. She came through great. But she won't stop licking a tiny knick on her ankle that they gave her when they shaved her leg. She ignores her stitches completely. But the little knick has been licked into a full blown sore. We even put baby pants on her, and she was so cute. But she could push the pants up enough to get at her ankle and lick. So we did the unthinkable... out came the collar.

Jonathan · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 208 Location: San Diego

Love the captions Larinda ...although she looks so sad in the first photo. Sad

Purr · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 553

dTas · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:25 pm Post subject:

poor puppy... Sad

i've gotta go home and pet my dog now.
_________________
you own a dog, you feed a cat

1 female rottie and 1 kitty

Purr · Joined: 25 Jun 2004 Posts: 553

How long does she have to wear the collar, Larinda? Is the sore healing, I hope? Sad

Jonathan · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 208 Location: San Diego