The Common Alternatives To Elizabethan Collar

By Richard Green


The Elizabethan collar, simply known as the E-Collar, seems to the only solution known by the vets when it comes to stopping the dog from licking and aggravating their wounds. They are so common yet uncomfortable, a characteristic that has earned them a bad reputation among the dog owners. In fact, some people refer to them as 'a cone of shame'. It is more of a torture device than what it is meant to, which is to help the dog's wounds heal faster. As such, there is a need to explore the alternatives to Elizabethan Collar.

With the E-collar, a dog with short legs is rendered immobile easily. In addition to this, it also interferes with visibility (peripheral visibility). The combination of the two factors means more misery for a dog that is already suffering from injuries. The cone is tight and heavy, making it to crash on furniture and the doorways. It really pushes the dog's patient to the limit whenever it gets stuck in a tight spot that the dog is attempting to cross.

The alternatives are designed with the dog's comfort in mind. This means better visibility, improved mobility and soft material that mean more comfort. This does not sacrifice its primary goal which is to prevent the dog from self-aggravated wounds, licking of the existing wounds, the possibility of tearing the surgical stitches and even the temptation to remove the bandages.

The Soft E-Collar like the normal Elizabethan Collars but are made of a more comfortable and softer material. It works very well for most dogs but is not strong enough for a stubborn dog that persists on trying to lick the wounds. At times, the heavy duty plastic may be too firm, or painfully firm. In this case, you can try the paper cones. Although they wear out faster, they offer a good alternative for relaxed dogs.

The other possible choice is the BiteNot Collars which resemble a neck brace worn by humans. The target is to make it difficult for the dog to reach the wounds on the neck and other body parts. It is very comfortable and most dogs tend to like it. However, the Bearded Collies and other species with long hair or fat necks find it inappropriate.

The Kong EZ Collar is the other common alternative. It relies on a lighter plastic that is transparent to allow for a good peripheral visibility. This makes them more comfortable. However, a lightweight means a compromise to the rigidity. To make them last longer, the outer part is made of a tough nylon material while the inner parts consist of a foam rubber.

The ProCollar on the other hands features an inflatable core. It has a cover that makes it very durable and it comes in different sizes and colors. Normally, it has a doughnut shape and is very comfortable for dogs.

The extreme solution is to opt for full-body armor. These are the best solution to the dogs that prove to be too stubborn and want to go to the extra mile just to get to the injury.




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