neutered dog- wont wear head cone!!

Jalapee

Hi all

My boy was neutered on Monday, all went well back home now, poor boy hates his head cone! He literally freaks out so unable to use that.

We have tried pants and a t shirt, but he freaks out at that also.

He doesnt bite the stitches (well he hasnt tried yet!) but he keeps going to lick the area with the stitches, i know this is natural for a dog to lick a wound but the vet says this is a big no no

They cant see us again untill tomorrow morning, but i am unable to sleep as i am petrified he will go at his stiches... any ideas on how i can get him to stop?

Thanks

arbroath_lass

You used to get some foul tasting drops to put on wounds which might be worth a try. It didn't stop my dog licking, though.

Person_one

Give him something better to lick! Get a big knuckle bone or fill a kong with fresh chicken and freeze it. Keep him distracted as much as you can.

Jalapee

We do during the day, im more worried at night when he wakes up (he sleeps in our room or in the living room with me or partner)

elsien

If you can't get him to wear the cone, then you're going to have to keep a really close eye on him. My dog really made a mess of the stitches in her foot by licking and chewing which added weeks onto the healing time.
I thought she was safely asleep - without her cone as I was in the room with her, but she'd got her nose under the blanket and was licking away without moving or making a sound. It cost me a fortune in extra vets visits.
How long have you persevered with the cone for? Mutt had a complete tantrum running round the room, bumping into furniture and generally being a PITA for quite a long time before it sunk in that it wasn't getting her anywhere. What I ended up doing being calm and reassuring and hanging onto her so she couldn't rampage backwards and break everything, and sleep on the settee next to her as she was calmer when I was touching her. (So for 3 months I slept on the settee with one leg hanging off and draped over the dog - the things we do!) It was a dreadful time and I was at my wits end, but sometimes you have to let them freak and manage it as best you can till it's over.
I tried the kong but it only distracted her for 20 mins, so maybe think of some other distactions you can use to help him get used to it. Maybe put it on for a minute at a time to start with, with lots of rewards for being sensible, then build up the time?
They do do elizabethan collars that are meant to be more comfortabe but I think you have to send off for them, so no good at short notice.

Jalapee

Tried the head cone again last night, again he went crazy with it on.

Last night also we were sat on the couch (him asleep on the floor) and his wound started to bleed

jenhug

My dog never had a cone after his neuter. Vet said it was ok for him to lick it, he put extra stitches in so it was very secure. I bathed the area frequently with a solution of boiled water and salt, dabbed on gently with cotton wool. It helped it dry up nicely.

kitschkitty

How about a soft cone?

Any ideas form here: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/best-dog-cone-elizabethan-collar.html any help?

UKTigerlily

Why does he need a cone? I've never known any dog to be given one, mine was Spayed & had a tumour removed too & was fine. If he won't leave it alone try an Equafleece or tight kids t shirt or a comfy collar

Jalapee

Thanks for all your replies.

Vet was 100% on him wearing one, even though he really isnt that bothered about the stitches or the incision area.

we tried an E collar, which was okay, but he really isnt bothered now so dont put it on him.

Although Sunday was a huge scare for me, i left him alone for around 5 mins, well he wasnt alone i was just tidying the house, he was laying down in the living room, i came back in to find blood EVERYWHERE! So i went down to have a look (his scrotum ((or sac area) had been big and swollen since around wednesday) So i called the emergency vet and too him straight in, he has a haematoma (sorry dont know if correct spelling?) and no on antibiotics, been told they probably wont be able to take stitches out on thursday although the wound is very clean and tidy.. poor boy

anyone ever experienced this?

Celli

You can get brilliant alternatives to the usual collars, I use an inflatable one which prevents the dog bending his neck , but doesn't get in the way, my dog used to use his like a cushion :rotfl:
You can find them on Amazon , look for Buster inflatable collar.
Hope he's ok, all that blood must have been scary.