An Elizabethan collar, E-collar (sometimes humorously called a cone of shame) is a protective medical device worn by an animal, usually a cat or dog. It is a plastic or fabric hoods or cones placed around the head to prevent an animal from licking at a surgery site, wound, or dressing.
Dogs naturally like to lick their wounds, but this can seriously delay healing and result in infection or injury. It is important that a protective collar is used, especially when the dog is unattended and could inadvertently injure himself.
It is necessary to create a protective barrier to stop your dog from being able to access their wound, so that they won’t obsessively lick and hinder the healing process and this is where a plastic cone comes into play. These dog cones extend a little past their nose and offer important protection while the wound heals. This means it’s extremely important for the cone to remain on until it’s fully healed.
Cats need e-collars for the same reason dogs do. To prevent them from licking and further damaging a surgical site or present injury. Cats are even better contortionists than dogs and can get to those hard-to-reach spots.
For loving pet parents, it can be difficult and emotionally exhausting enough to watch your dog endure a surgical procedure or an injury. To then take them home from the veterinarian wearing an E-collar only adds more stress to the situation, and keeping it on during the healing process can be as frustrating for you as it is for your dog. We encounter countless pet owners that feel terrible when their dog is made to wear something they clearly despise.
Other Reasons for Elizabethan Collar
Allergies or flea treatment
In addition to medicine such as ointments and pills, Elizabethan collars are necessary when dealing with an animal that is suffering from an allergy reaction. The main reasons are to prevent the animal from ingesting any of the medicine being applied on the skin. Also to prevent it from harming itself in the infected area.
Viruses and fungus
In addition to preventing the animal from harming themselves or ingesting medicine being applied on their skins, Elizabethan collars also prevent the animal from further spreading the infection due to it licking, biting, or scratching itself elsewhere after touching the infection area. Hot spots, an infection that could be attributed to multiple reasons, are the most common infections. They could be spread due to an animal licking or scratching the area
Problems Associated with Wearing Elizabethan Collar
Problems for cats and dogs wearing the collars include:
- Difficulty drinking
- Inability to play
- Collar-related injuries, including itching/irritation, bumping into walls, falling downstairs and psychologic diistress
- Other problems, including difficulty toileting, grooming, being fitted for a harness or lead, getting through dog or cat door, sleeping in a crate, navigating indoors “without smashing into doorways, tables or chairs
Important Tips on How to Use E-Collar
Keep a close eye on your pet throughout the entire recovery Period they are wearing the collars . It’s possible for pets to get the collar stuck in small spaces. Mischievous pets might even be able to get the collar into their mouths. And also possibly chewing away bits of plastic or ripping off the collar altogether.
You might also need to remove the collar when your pet is ready to eat or drink. E-collars are technically designed to allow your pet to eat and drink while wearing them. Pets would sometimes refuse to eat or drink while wearing the collar. Re-fasten the collar once your pet is done.
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