Alternatives to cone?

[pompeiii]

Preface this by saying we’re back at the vet this afternoon and I’ll be asking the same questions.

My dog has been in cone for about a week due to a mass on her hip (awaiting pathology but suspected mast cell tumor). It’s pretty ugly (infection, biopsy, blood, etc.) and it keeps opening up (not the point, she’s going back to the vet).

She’s actually fine with the cone (zencone—she’s good with this cone and cannot reach the mass), but whenever she wears a cone, she ends up with super itchy ears to the point that she’s utterly miserable (they end up red and inflamed). Any ideas on ways to give her ears a break but keep her away from the mass?

Again, I’ll ask the vet, but I appreciate all ideas too!

[trubandloki]

I have had good luck with the inflatable type of dog cone.

That is just one example from Chewy, there are other brands.

Another option is one of the surgery suits.

[DiamondJubilee]

The inflatable dog cone that was just posted above are great. Just make sure she can’t lick at her wound with it on.

Surgery suits are great as well, but also make sure she won’t lick the mass. My parents got a suit for their dog after neuter surgery and didn’t watch him. He made a huge mess out of his incision and it was 4 separate trips to the vet and one very infected dog.

My girl had a surgery suit on after her gastropexy and spay and never once touched her incision. I loved how it kept her incisions cleaner being on a farm. I had 2 suits so I could change/wash them.

Good luck with your pup and speed recovery!

[pompeiii]

Thanks. I was a little concerned about the inflatable donut – can she reach the mass? But I won’t know unless I try. We did try one a few years ago after she had surgery and she hated that thing, but it was too big for her which may have been part of the issue (she likes to sleep with her head flat on the ground). It may also be nice to just trade out cones to give her ears a break.

I have the same worry about the surgery suit. It might be great or it could be awful. I don’t know which. Or, it could be something to toss on her while we’re watching her and then the cone when we leave/sleeping. Lots to think about.

[trubandloki]

You are totally correct.

You don’t know what will work for your dog until you try them.

And clearly, take the great advice from above, try them sometime when you can supervise.

Not overly wallet friendly, having to try them all.

In your case, if your dog tolerates clothes, maybe start with the surgery suit. That will give those ears the most freedom and bonus, the dog will look adorable in it.

[Pico_Banana]

We have one of these:

NovaGuard Recovery Collar

It’s a cone but it leaves the ears free.

[pompeiii]

That’s interesting!

I chatted with the vet and I’m going to hold off for now unless I end up ordering the ears free one you suggested.

She’s now on a new, stronger antibiotic, steroids, and were cleaning her ears. She was uncomfortable last night even after the vet cleaned her ears, but seems much happier this morning (and slept super well without scratching too). If she’s on a leash, she can be cone free too.

I’m just hoping we start healing now with better meds!

[MunchingonHay]

sidetrack

which brand suits did you get? I need to get Lilly spayed. She just started her first heat and I hope to have her spay done in October.

She wears clothes, (she is wearing the panties and she wore a jacket in winter). So I think a suit will do just fine with her. She is too klutzy, bull in a china shop, literally runs into walls/door frames to wear a cone.

[DiamondJubilee]

@MunchingonHay - this is the one I got:
https://www.amazon.ca/Suitical-Recovery-Suit-Dogs-Black/dp/B00W2EHTA6/ref=asc_df_B00W2EHTA6/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=293001294915&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5609666091539745233&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000795&hvtargid=pla-425064448754&mcid=57c501049dd531b5a8faf6541b5e5be9&th=1

My girl is 115lb and the XL fit her but was a tad big. So then I bought a L as her second suit and it fit but was a tad snug, but I liked the fit better snugger. So perhaps size down a tad. I would say my girl is the size of a large lab. Sausage like lol!

I loved the snaps as all I had to do was simply snap them up when I took her outside to potty. And then simple to snap them back up once she was done.

[MunchingonHay]

Perfect ! I just purchased one.

[lilitiger2]

If you’re desperate, you can always try the “homemade option,” i.e., the towel. I had to do for my pup when he wasn’t given a cone after being fixed. I folded over a heavy towel then wrapped it around the pups neck, then anchored it with vet wrap. He could not turn his head to get at the wound. It’s not ideal, but he can eat and drink and poop and all that, definitely doesn’t impact his ears! I mean, if you’re desperate!!!