When a pet gets sent home with a cone, or otherwise known as an Elizabethan Collar or E Collar, I know that there is a 50/50 chance that the client is actually going to use it. In the long run, wearing an E Collar can lead to quicker healing time and fewer complications (infection) after surgery. However, clients often find it difficult to keep the cone on when their animal gives them sad puppy dog eyes. The following are reasons why clients should listen to their vet team and keep the cone on and tips to help vets and technicians to help convince clients to do so.
- The animal is not suffering from the cone. It is not painful for the animal to wear an E collar if it is adjusted properly. It might be awkward for them at first and they might run into things on the first day; however, they will adjust very quickly. Dogs and cats are very adaptable, and they will quickly adjust comfortably to life with a cone.
- The animal might suffer more without the cone. If a dog or cat is given access to their surgical wound, they will lick. Licking can lead to redness around the surgical incision, infection, and it can open up the stitches. If this happens… and they will lick… it can mean increased healing time of the wound. In addition, if there is an infection or if the stitches open up then it means another trip to the vet, more stress, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories which will cost the client more money.
- If the vet says to keep the cone on for two weeks, then keep the cone on for two weeks. Often, the area where the surgical site is is shaved for surgery. When the hair grows back it can itch. Therefore, even if the incision site looks good and the stitches are still in place, it is important to keep the cone on. It only takes a second for a dog to itch with its paw or mouth over the incision site to rip the stitches open. That is why it is very important that the client keep the cone on their pet the number of days recommended by their veterinarian or until the stitches are removed.
- Even at night time? Yes. The animal should wear the cone even at night time. It will adjust and be able to sleep comfortable with its cone on. In addition, animals don’t always sleep when humans sleep, so there are still times when the pet is not being observed (like when the owner is asleep) that it can get to its incision site.
- Even when I am at home? Yes. Even when the client is at home with their pet. It is important that the cone stays on because as mentioned above, it only takes a second for the animal to rip their stitches out, and then it’s another trip to the veterinary clinic.
It is hard to convince clients to keep the cone on their pets for the required amount of time that a wound needs for healing. It is hard to convince them, especially if they do not understand why it is important that their pet wear a cone. That is why it is important that the cone’s significance in their pet’s healing time is explained to them so that it can be better understood why they need to keep the cone on.
