My turn for help, please.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Luca had a place on his foreleg that he has been licking for quite some time now. I kept looking for something but there was nothing there. I told him if he kept licking he'd end up at the vet and he did today. Last night I decided I didn't like the look of things. I put on some triple antibiotic cream and took him to the vet this morning. She decided it was a lick hot spot. She used a topical antibiotic/steroid cream and wrapped the leg. I am to check it, retreat and wrap in a couple of days. If it looks worse he'll need an oral antibiotic. The wrap lasted all of 15 minutes when we got home. Luca managed to push it up his leg and remove some of the inner wrappings.

I need a good alternative for the old plastic cone I have. He bumped into things with it on and was frightened by the whole thing. But clearly he can be allowed to go on licking this spot. Right now he is napping next to me with the collar on.

So what is the most comfortable, effective collar that will keep him from his foreleg? Thanks for your help.

UPDATE 1

Luca's current messy but effective outdoor wrap

Update 2

Thanks for asking about Luca. And thanks to all for all your suggestions and help. Luca slept all night and left everything alone. No collar needed.  That may be because with the ointment the vet used there is not only an antibiotic , but also a steroid and analgesic. It could also be that between me loudly telling him to leave it and the initial shock from the Elizabethan collar he was scared straight.

The ice is gone today, in fact it's like spring. So we went supply shopping. I found all necessary first aid supplies in the drugstore. Gauze pads and gauze wrap. I also found flesh colored breathable  self adhesive wound wraps of various widths. I like the fact that the wrap will blend in with Luca's coloring since he doesn't like to advertise his infirmities. I went looking for toddler long sleeve tees too, but I think the arms would be too short for the project. Also, what I used last night worked.

Next we went to Petco , where all three of us could shop. The first aid section was a poor excuse. They did have vet wrap but I I didn't need it by then. The sprays and lotions and potions were pretty useless it seemed to me. No gauze of any kind. One antiseptic had hydrochlorous acid, I assume it is weaker than hydrochloric acid. I will try to order the spray recommended to try to ward off hot spots. It's good to have some first aid supplies on hand for humans and doodles.

My plan is to re-wrap the whole thing later today. I will extend the adhesive wrap a little lower and higher and then secure those areas with the clear packing tape. That will leave the area over the spot able to breathe and still waterproof and Lucaproof the ends or so I hope.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That's what I'm afraid of, that he will get to his foot with a smaller collar.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

I don't have any collar recommendations but would a sock work?? I'm thinking about those pictures of Monty that Jarka posted with him wearing a nice tight tube sock. Just a thought...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think he would have any reservations about chewing the sock.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

But you could get to him before he got through the sock!

[F, Calla & Luca]

If I'm not sleeping : )

[Lynda Kamrath]

So the vet thinks it is a hot spot?  We have had that problem before also and felt it was something in the skin that was irritating.  We shaved down the area and the vet gave us some "hot spot creme" that we put on the area and then put biking socks over it.  Whenever the dog would look at it, we would give the "leave it" command and he would leave it alone.  The socks are so thin and elastic that they don't seem to bother him.  Works for us.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I was thinking about that and I may try it.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think so. The vet tape breathes.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Fudge had a soft collar when she got spayed.

What about one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Contech-ProCone-Recovery-Collar-Large/dp/B005...

I hope Luca feels better. Now, that I see the picture, Fudge could have easily gotten to her leg. Yes, I think a sock might work, too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry poor Luca has this. I bought one of those inflatable "inner-tube" collars for a foster after her spay surgery, on the theory that at some point in JD's life he would probably need to be kept from biting or licking something so as to justify the purchase, lol. So far JD hasn't needed it, but it worked beautifully for the female foster, and it did keep her from licking or biting herself, which T-shirts, shorts, etc did not. She seemed to be very comfortable in it, ate, drank, slept, and played with no trouble.

I hope Luca heals quickly!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

We used one of those inflatable rings for Peri and it worked until about Day 8 after her spay - she figured out how to bite and deflate it. 

It would be worth a try in my opinion.

So sorry Luca's going through this!