Cone Alternatives-Update need advice post 22!

[spotnnotfarm]

So, my coonhound has a hairline toe fracture on his right hind toe. He is in a huge cast and a cone so he does not chew the cast. The cone is driving us all insane. The poor guy cannot walk without hitting the walls, us, furniture etc… He is miserable. This morning he hit our other dog who viewed it as an attack and attacked him. It is a mess…

I have the dogs seperated but my poor hound hates this cone. I know there are inflatable donuts, but I have never used one. Will it prevent him from reaching his back leg? Any other ideas? We are stuck like this for 4 long weeks!

[trubandloki]

Not reaching a back leg is a tough one.

I think the answer depends on how determined your dog is.

I personally would find the inflatable not enough protection for something on the toes of a back leg.

They cones out of fabric. That might work better. (or not at all, depending on your dog)

Cones are miserable for everyone. So in a misery loves company sort of way, we all agree, they are annoying.

Edit to add - I have used this version with some success, but it was not for something on a back leg.

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[spotnnotfarm]

This is truly miserable. Thanks, I will look at it.

[horsepoor]

We have the inflatable donut one, and it worked great to protect a belly incision (to retrieve a toy ) on my long legged JRT. But it does not work to keep him from his hind feet, as we found out when he had to have a torn toenail removed recently. I tried a soft cone like posted above, but the one we had was a little too short and he was still able to get around it to his back toe. We just got to where we left the cone off if we were right there with him to monitor, and used the big plastic one for when we had to leave him alone. But a JRT with a cone is a lot less damaging than a coonhound, size wise, I bet.

[ekat]

I had a super flexible girl who had more than one hind leg issue (TPLO, later a toe amputation, among other things). Generally, she was pretty good about not messing with stitches, bandages, etc, but every once in a while, she just had to mess with things.

This prevented her from getting to her back legs. She didn’t love it, but she didn’t hate it, either.

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[spotnnotfarm]

He is like a bull in a China shop right now. I was afraid those would not work I do leave it off when I am home and can watch him. I think it is getting itchy, because he is getting worse about chewing it,

[spotnnotfarm]

I look into it!

[endlessclimb]

When you’re able to supervise him, take it off.

Maybe that’s bad advice, but when you’re eating dinner or sitting around watching TV, take it off of him, to give everyone a break from it. Only when you’re unable to see him, put it on.

Chewing a cast would take a lot more effort than grabbing and ripping a stitch, which is the only reason I’m suggesting this. When our dog lost her eye, she lived in the cone, supervision or not, because 2 seconds would mean she’s got a toenail in a stitch and rips it out. Not worth it.

[spotnnotfarm]

I do, the problem is I work so he is at home crashing into things and irritating our other dog. I have them separated, and I am hoping that works until the stupid thing is off.

[trubandloki]

Is he crate trained?

It might be worth crating him so that he is not at risk in his cone while you are not there.

[spotnnotfarm]

He cannot be crated. He freaks out and tries to escape. He got to the point where it became dangerous due to the way he was escaping. I will not crate him.

[islgrl]

I put plastic tubing around the edge of mine to blunt the impact when my dog repeatedly smashed into the back of my leg., The inflatable was not enough to keep her from chewing so that didn’t work. I woudl just keep the dogs apart until its over…

[BlueDrifter]

I made a pool noodle necklace by threading pieces onto a piece of elastic… but I think they could reach their back legs unless you could someone do stacked necklaces — in which case that neck collar above looked better!

[spotnnotfarm]

Unless we are home, that’s the plan. Both seemed happier when I got home.

[Lusoluv]

How about a humane or basket muzzle? Some are made of softish rubber or mesh and lets your dog drink and breathe easily, but they can’t chew.

[Weezer]

I recently needed a cone for my beagle and he basically had a nervous breakdown when I put the traditional plastic one on him. I then bought a fabric one that was bendy enough to brush against things, but rigid enough to prevent him from chewing his front paw. It’s calling the Zen Pet ZenCone. I alternated between him wearing that and wearing a basket muzzle. He was fine with either of those. I fed him treats through the basket the first time I put it on him, so he had no problem with it. Then for a few days, he got treats only when the muzzle was on.

[spotnnotfarm]

Ok, I am thinking this maybe the way to go. I have never used a muzzle before. Could I leave it on while I am at work? Can he sleep in it? Also, the ones I have seen have straps over the dogs head, can they pull them off?

This morning he crashed into a door frame so this thing as got to go! We have three more weeks!

[trubandloki]

@spotnnotfarm

can they pull them off?

Yes. Yes they can.

Just like a horse with a grazing muzzle.

Some leave them in place and never bother to try to figure out how to take them off. Others work hard and remove them.

There is always an option to attach it some how to their collar.

[spotnnotfarm]

Thanks! I think my DH could rig it with zip ties. Poor guy iso so miserable.

[trubandloki]

I would try it at home while you are there to see how it goes. Then you will know if he can be left alone with it.