e-collar matting!!

[Helen & Kirby]

My 8 month old labradoodle had to have surgery for severe elbow dysplasia in the right front leg, and then the vet 'accidently' nicked her radius bone. Two weeks later her bone snapped.  She is recovering, but has had to be in an e-collar 24/7 for two months now. ---and maybe another month.  Her leg has four pins holding it together.  Even with frequent brushing and combing she is getting very matted around her neck, under her chin, and everywhere the edge of the e-collar rests.  She is also matting at the line where she was shaved for surgery, and her regular coat.  I am now resigned to the fact that she will have to be clipped when this ordeal is over, but I still spend time everyday trying to demat her.  I am thinking of taking her to a groomer to help with brushing and some trimming even tho she can't yet be bathed, and can't stand for long periods of time.  I have tried to find other types of e-collars that might be less damaging to her coat, but they don't keep her from chewing on the pins, bandages.  Any help any one can offer with types of collars, grooming would be greatly appreciated.  I think she is also going thru the dreaded coat change as well.  Thanks.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh my gosh! I am so sorry for you and your sweet baby doodle. This is a nightmare. No help here, just lots of sympathy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I feel so badly for you and your doodle. One of our doodles mats with any collar but rolled leather, so I understand your dilemma because she has to have the e-collar to keep her from chewing. We did find that when our Springer had CCL surgery we were able to use a small child's sock to cover the bandage at the foot area - at least keep the bandaged area cleaner. We would put a dog poop bag under the sock when we took him outside to potty. I know your incisions are higher up.
We were given some medication to sedate the Springer to calm him and perhaps prevent chewing. We declined to use them but I think they could be helpful for others.
Could your groomer make a house call? Or could you call a mobile groomer to come and cut her down some now? You might be able to prevent a full shave down later and keep the mats from causing any skin sores.

[Helen & Kirby]

I've tried a "boot" but she chewed the straps off of it. Because the pins go right thru her leg and stick out on both sides, the sock didn't work. Normaly she's not the king of dog that chews everything (My lab was) but the pins are really bugging her (and me). I did get meds for her; she is on round the clock pain meds. I tried an inflatable collar that seemed great and comfy --but didn't stop her from reaching the pins. I will be going to the groomer next week and hopefully avoid a total shaving. Thanks for your wonderful suggestions.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I really feel your pain and wish your pup a speedy recovery.

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

I'm so sorry to hear of your dog's issues. I think you should just get this dog shaved when she no longer needs the collar. It makes no sense to make her go thru a lot of grooming right now.
The best would be to shave now and by the time she is more recovered the hair would be growing back. I don't know if this is possible for you. The advantage is the shaved area for surgery will match now and later.
The only thing might be that if she is not very active right now, maybe she needs her coat to keep warm. What a dilemma. Hope she recovers soon and well.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree. I'd shave or cut very shot the area under the edge of the collar now and deal with the rest later. I would think where you live cold weather would not be a problem.

[Helen & Kirby]

Thanks for all the encouraging words. I called the groomer and made an appointment for next week to see what she can do. She knows Kirby will be unable to stand for long periods. I was on a maintenance program with the groomer to prevent this kind of problem. She is scheduling Kirby for a time when no other dogs are there to get her excited--she wants to play so badly. I see your point about shaving now, so the hair can start growing back.

[Kyoko]

Ohhh! I am so sorry to hear about all of what you and your doodle is going through!! I hope everything goes well and she recovers quickly... I think even if she have to get shaved, it will grow back soon... It may be more stressful for her to deal with pain and going to the groomers, etc....

[Helen & Kirby]

Well, it's done. Kirby got shaved today.......I'll get over it. I actually think she likes it.
The hair is not as important as her leg and elbow mending. The groomer was very gentle and kind, and I am going back in a few weeks when she can be bathed, and she will touch up a few spots. So how long does it take to grow out --6 months?

[Kyoko]

I guess it depends on how long you want her coat to be..... I keep Charlie's body fairly short. I started to keep it this way, because she had hard time with being patient while being brushed, and she was going through coat changes. So I tried making brushing /grooming time more do-able for her. But now, she is much better at it, I am trying to grow her hair back. It's been bout 6 weeks since the last grooming, not much of changes as of yet.

[ej]

I'm glad to hear that Kirby is liking her new hairdo.

We like keeping our GD's coat shorter, almost like a poodle puppy clip. He went through coat change when he was around 10-11 months old, that was when we had him shaved down really close to the skin. It took almost 3 months to grow back to around 1-1.5 inch length. Currently he is maintained at 1/2 inch on his body, and we are guessing we won't be sending him to the groomer for at least 8-10 weeks. We still keep the hair on his legs longer, at about 2 inches.

I look forward to reading more about Kirby and her uneventful recovery. Get well soon Kirby!

[selma seery]

So sorry about your doodle!! My 13 year golden had to wear a e-collar,she was a large girl and the e-collar was a nightmare!!!!! She would chew at her paws (anxiety) and she got and infection on 1 paw.She came home with the collar and it did'nt work for either of us! She hated it and she was a mommies girl and followed me everywhere soshe would be banging into my legs all day long painful for her and me.So I went out and bought white mens sockks put them on her paws and tied them with pretty shoelaces and she loved it and kept them on until she healed! $75.00 down the drain but she was comfy and pretty.My Lindesy is in doggy heaven now May 7 2010.And I miss her so much.Ihope this might help.