Hurley's E collar

[Regina and Hurley]

I have been reading about the soft cones...do you think that it will work for him? Is there still a way for him to reach his incision site with the soft cone? The one he has is huge and long...I have to help give him water from his bowl and feed him...it's long so he won't get anywhere near the incision...
When you are talking about the soft cones...is it the ones that are blown up..look like a doughnut?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Regina, I know this has to be hard on you. I think you have gotten great advice and I hope the time flies by and Hurley feels better in no time.

[Rose Ann and Amante]

I think I would stick with the hard one. At this point I would not want to take any chances!!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

You and Hurley have had enough trouble.  Stick it out with the long plastic one.  Possibly you could try to put his water dish on a small round stool or a stack of old books or magazines, with towels underneath in case it spills, and he would be able to drink without help.  Hang in there, it will get better.  You are way over halfway home.  Think of all the research and fundraising you did and just tell Hurley you understand but the cone is good for him.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

When I was getting a cone for Cubbie, I read somewhere that the cone should be long enough that the dog's nose was still inside the area of the cone, but that the dog should still be able to eat and drink.  My first thought was that this cone might be a size too big for Hurley, but if that is what the vet gave you, he might want to be extra cautious given the extent of the surgery that was done.  If you are able to help Hurley eat and drink, you might just want to stick with this cone.  Besides, he might like the added attention anyway.   :)

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

It seems to me that the soft collars/cones are designed to keep the dog from using his tongue or teeth on incisions on other parts of his body. So anything that keeps the dog from reaching an incision on his leg, stomach, etc., will work.

Your situation is really the opposite, with the incisions actually on his head. It presents a different set of issues, with the dog rubbing or bumping his head against things. I think the long, rigid cone your vet recommends is really the only way to go.

When Cosmo had to wear one, he got used to it after a day or two. He wasn't happy about it, but he was resigned to it for the duration. After a few days, when we had taken it off for him to eat, he would come up to us and hold his neck out to get the collar put back on!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I agree with everyone else - stick with the normal plastic one.  You must keep his head protected - this is not a normal neutering or anything!  Peri deflated her round donut thing after 4 days!

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

When Oliver was neutered they gave me a huge cone for him, of course Ollie hated it and when we got home he just plowed thru everything, he did not let the cone stop him.  He was banging into me, Sasha and just about everything he passed.  I took off the cone and he was just fine, he went to lick his incision just once and I told him "no" and he stopped.  And when Sasha was spayed I never even put the cone on her... she just never bothered her incision.  With that being said "maybe" Hurley might not even try to fuss with his incicsion.  Maybe you can give him little breaks with the cone, like if he is next to you on the couch watching TV or something.. you can remove the collar as long as you are close and can supervise.  Otherwise I would keep it on him if he was not by me.  Even if you don't do this.. he will get use to the cone in a few days.  Poor baby :(

[BG and Gavin]

I know it is so hard to see them suffer, but honestly I think you should stick with the big cone.  He will get used to it and its up to you to act like it is no big deal.  Gavin had to wear one for a week and was running into the furniture and doorways left right and centre, but he adjusted and got good at navigating with it on.  You can take the cone off and leash him to eat and drink (supervised).  I just would be taking every precaution available.  Remember this uncomfortable time is just a small blip in his happy life ahead.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

As cumbersome as it is, I would stay with the cone you have. The soft cones have worked well for me when the area that needs to be left alone is lower on the body, but would not prevent rubbing the head and face.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We had a dog that had to have a cone on so often that he ended up being able to negotiate the world quite well with it. Hurley will get used to it. I know that I hated having Earle ram into my legs with it and all of the door jams, furniture, everything, but it does do the job of keeping the wound safe. What seems like forever really only ends up being days. Hang in there. Maybe a glass of wine after a long day of enduring the cone bashing will help you. Hoping for a speeding recovery!