Ideas to stop dog getting to wound - alternatives to Elizabethan collar?

[iloverhubarb]

Dog has had TPLO surgery (for cruciate damage) on hind leg last Tues. She is young and doing really well considering, but she has to wear the dreaded plastic cone to stop her licking the wound, which is uncovered and healing fine, but obviously irritating to her.

The cone means she is bumping into things, can't get hold of or find kongs easily, vision restricted, can't groom non injured parts - making her very snappy and fed up. She has to be very restricted movement wise too, so this just adds insult to injury.

Anyone found an alternative collar that works to stop a 2 yr old springer spaniel getting to its hind leg? Yesterday I went to great expense to get a 'comfy collar' delivered express before the 4 day holiday, a kind of tyre that's like a cushion round the neck. But of course she can easily get to her leg. So plastic cone back on now. Any ideas?

[RedwingWinter]

just bumping for you in case anyone else knows of an alternative. I can't think of one so I think it will have to be the collar. Whatever you do, don't take pity and take the collar off too soon - they can do a huge lot of damage if they lick.

I think the comfy collars are a great idea, but it depends on the location of the wound as to whether or not they are suitable.

[iloverhubarb]

Box don't think the blue type will work any better but thank you and to Redwing too, even just a thought counts as support! Dog still has cone on but has worked out a way of frantically shaking head at leg area until cone rests on top of leg, allowing a tiny bit of licking space, just below wound. Leg now has dent where cone has hit, plus a little sore looking. Aaagh. Not aiding rest, hers our ours.

At least now she is letting us try cold aloe vera on outer side of leg - not yet near wound - and gentle stroking there too. Cold compress freaks her but she is coping with gentle massage and seems to quite enjoy warm water bottle. Given up on collar alternatives - she's going to have to put up with the bloody thing. Well, we are hunkered in for the duration I think, hand feeding kongs - thank goodness for tennis and TV of boats going down a wet river...