How long should we keep the cone?

[Tiki Cain-Collins]

Gingy was spayed last Thursday. Has anyone ever taken off the cone before a week? She's actually managing well with it. She just looks so pitiful!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Take it off for the holidays and see how she does.  If she isn't licking, then she doesn't need it.  However, wash and sterilize it well, flatten it out, and store somewhere unobtrusive.  You will probably have plenty of chances to use it in the future.  My husband even reused one of our cones for making a sheath for his clippers so he could put it on his mountain bike and trim trails while he was out riding.  Now that is a novel use for that heavy plastic but not one for which many people have a use. We have them in many sizes because our dogs come in many sizes. 

[Tiki Cain-Collins]

Thanks! I will do that! What about baths? She is in desperate need! It's been rainy here and she's just a mess!

[Leslie J]

I would wait on the bath- it could bring infection into the wound. . Ask your vet how soon you can bathe her.