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Keeping Tessie from licking her stitches.

1K views 14 replies 14 participants last post by  Griffyn'sMom 
#1 ·
Tessie got spayed yesterday, and I must say, she's remarkably chipper 36 hours after major surgery. (Ignorance is bliss.)

The one issue: she's shown some inclination to lick/poke at her stiches.
The vet gave us a transparent E-collar, and well, she's not all that happy about it. In addition, it's much more cramped in the crate with the collar.

Any suggestions for methods--behavioral or physical--to keep her from licking her stitches if we take the collar off?

Moverking suggested a cervical-style collar. Does anyone have experience with one of these?
http://www.dog.com/item/bite-not-collar/220104/?srccode=TBDOGP&tbid=TBB00110373&gclid=CNKZjcK4xpsCFQRM5Qode1NgBg

thanks in advance from Tessie and me.
 
#5 ·
When Gus had staples in his leg, we sat next to him and softly told him "no" and gently moved his head out of the way when he went to lick them. I didn't feel good leaving him alone without an e-collar at that point, but I sat next to him and read a book for a while so he could have a break with it off.

He got the message after maybe five tries and didn't go after it again for the next hour.

I think that's probably pretty personality dependent, and probably depends on how painful or itchy the wound is, but it certainly worked for us.
 
#6 ·
I have had good luck using the type of collar that you posted about. I found the dogs are way less intimidated (or afraid) of them than the traditional lampshade type. If you are able to sit with her now and then and give her a break with no collar that is even better. I know it seems like the week will go by so slowly but you will soon look back on it as a distant memory. Good luck to both of you.
 
#7 ·
#9 ·
I'm with Tippy, I took the first day off with both Abby and Finn and just redirected them and said no gently if they started to worry the area. I have never had to cone them for anything. I remember trying a t-shirt once and it just called attention to the issue. Good luck!
 
#10 ·
I'm no help, sorry. Lucy went for the stitches once, I said no, and she left them alone for the rest of the time before they came out. I would think the boxers would be less traumatic than the collar. Good luck!
 
#11 ·
Flora hated her e-collar (so the vet said) so they gave her a "comfy cone" which is basically a giant cone made out of fabric rather than plastic. Flora still didn't like it, but she'd at least wear it. She never really licked at her stitches so I never had her wear the cone when I was around, but I did make her wear it when we were out.

I don't think the comfy cone would work very well in a crate though. It's huge.
 
#12 ·
Yeah, the blow up collar might be easier on her than the cone collar. With the t-shirt, you can make it stay in place better by cutting a slit on the side that will be on her back and tying the two ends in a knot. Good luck! Hopefully she won't be messing with it much after a day or so.
 
#13 ·
The blow up collar at PetSmart or Petco worked good with Buzz so he couldn't scratch his head. Measure her neck before you go to make sure you get the right size. I got the XL and it worked but the L would have been fine. If you have another dog that can bite at the collar spray it with Bitter Apple before putting it on her. It's also a lot easier on your legs!
 
#14 ·
When Tango was getting ready for surgery, I believe Finn Fan posted a picture of her golden in a T-shirt and boxers recovering from surgery. My Chessie had a long incision from a difficult spay, and I used both a T-shirt and boxers because it was more challenging for her to get out of them. I also used an old button down shirt and put it on her backwards so that I could button down her back and use the tails to tie it up. It doesn't have the stretchiness of a T-shirt, and Chessie was not able to get out of it.

Golden hugs to Tessie as she recovers from her "oweee".
 
#15 ·
I would imagine she'd hate that other collar just as much - it's temporary - she'll get over it - I'd just use the big clunker. Griff didn't like his at first and by the time had come to remove it, he was acting like it was part of him, using it to scoop dirt and throw it all around - great fun! :doh:
The most important part is to not trust her - if she's already licking at the stitches, don't give her a chance to pull them out.

We learned the hard way (Griff ripped all but one stitch out in a very short time.) and the result was another trip back to the Vet - they held him down and STAPLED him. :no: Also another charge for some antibiotics just in case he started an infection.
 
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