Hates his lampshade collar

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

Am after some advice please

Our 8mo springer was castrated yesterday. He has one of the lampshade collars on but absolutely hates it. He's managed to claw it off twice already, and spends most of his time whining and trying to get it off, so not resting and taking it easy at all.

He's shown no interest in his stitches or sign of discomfort, just desperate to take the collar off.

I've checked it fits him ok and isn't rubbing him or anything like that. He just doesn't like it.

The nurse said it should stay on for 7-10 days, and I wanted to know is that really necessary?

[neontetra]

I think it's common for them to hate them at first, but they do get used to them. I wouldn't risk removing it personally.

[LtXmasEve]

The lampshade is to keep him away from his stiches. My dogs have never worn them.

If you are worried he will lick at them, then can I suggest a TShirt on him, backwards, so her can't get to them. During the day if you are with him you should be able to stop him, but a TShirt would be a good idea at night.

My friend with his working dogs doesn't even do that, his view is that if the dog is keeping himself clean, that's a good thing, so doesn't even stop his licking.

I wouldn't go that far, but no, I don't see the point of the collars.

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

Oh, the Collar of Shame - poor thing.

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

thanks all

I am here with him most of the time at the moment, working from home and he's in the same room with me, so perhaps I could at least take it off while I'm able to closely supervise? He's not shown any interest in attempting to investigate what remains of his nether regions so far.

He normally spends most of the morning sleeping, but has spent all morning today trying to get the collar off and whining .

[daisydotandgertie]

Take it of!. They're not compulsory, especially if you are able to closely supervise him. Mine have never worn one.

A back to front t shirt is a good option to discourage him and you'll have to make a decision about tonight once you've seen how interested he is in fiddling with his stitches.

[littlewhitebag]

My pup was neutered recently and she was not given a collar. She never touched her stitches once.

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

Well he's managed to almost chew through it anyway, so I've taken it off for the time being and am watching him.

No interest being shown in stitches yet. Interest being shown in chewing the lead for my laptop and in chewing the removed collar which he now wants to play with/punish , but stitches are fine.

He's just settled down so hopefully will be asleep for a bit.

[Eastpoint]

You can get a collar which is like a rubber ring, they have them on Amazon but I can't remember what they are called.

[WhenSantaGotStuckUpACunnyFunt]

Kong Cloud E-Collar is what East is on about I think

[AndARedwingInAPearTree]

Be sure to keep a very close eye on him because the worst case is that he'll lick the stitches out and have to have another general anaesthetic to be sewn up again. Some dogs find those Kong collars that Santa linked to much more comfortable.

Ime the cones that are tied on with a length of gauze are the hardest for a dog to remove, and the ones that just snap into place are easily removed with a paw slipped under them. (Especially when our other dog helpfully tugs from the other end - that was hilarious but annoying).

[clam]

Ours had one and also hated it. It seemed mean to laugh at him, but it was quite amusing seeing him mis-judge doorways and getting stuck under chairs and so on. Mind you, even with it on, he managed to get an infection and had to have antibiotics - more expense!

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

Thanks all, and for the link as well, that does look more comfortable.

He's not shown any interest at all so far so we're just keeping a close eye on him for the moment.

[BendyBobsBrusselsSprouts]

Aw I feel really sorry for animals wearing them, even though it's a must sometimes.

Our cat had one on for about 10 days when he hurt his leg. In the end he'd just sit there all miserable and resigned with his head hanging down. He looked really depressed. Not only did he have the collar on but he had a massive bandage on his leg too and couldn't walk.

But when the vet took it off he was ecstatic and kept purring and head butting her (his way of showing how much he loves you)

Your dog might (sort of) accept it after a few days.

[ceres]

you can use a bath towel to make a soft collar.

i found this out when my staffie had to have a cone - he was totally miserable. i tried to get a proper soft collar but his size was out of stock. i googled for alternatives and found this youtube video

it worked really well and my dog didn't mind having it on at all - strange thing actually seemed to like it!

might work for you too and will give you peace of mind until the stitches can come out.

[IncognitoIsMyFavouriteWord]

one of my babies preferred the inflatable collar too.

He was so much less stressed with it.

Luckily they are all relatively the same size so I know it will be used more than once.

[colditz]

All dogs hate The Cone Of Shame

[flowerytaleofNewYork]

Love that video with the bath towel although am and at the minuscule likelihood of our dog sitting still for that like the incredibly well behaved specimen in the clip!