Fainly wearing cone collar post surgery;eating his own hair; cut hair around ears?

Fainlysmom

Fainlysmom

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Hi, everyone. Our 1-year-old puppy who has had health issues all his life is four days out from a hind-leg osteotomy. He has another one to go through in four to six weeks. He has to wear a cone collar all the time because he immediately licks his splinted leg if the collar is taken off. He is supposed to be home resting almost all the time but instead is very agitated. The hair immediately around his head and face is a problem in two ways: It makes it hard to get the collar on and tied (he fights it being put on and the hair is in the way) and he is eating the his own hair that sticks out into the front of the collar. Will it do any harm that you know of to cut his hair off around his face and back of his neck? It will look terrible, I know, but I hope to hear from you that it will grow back fairly quickly. This is only one of many problems, but we are trying to lessen the stress on him and us, as we have other family situations going on at the same time and we need to simplify whatever we can. Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
 
Oh gosh I'm sorry this is a challenge on top of everything else. Hair will grow back, but I wonder, since it is a hind leg, if you could try an inflatable, donut type of collar for him? It's like a child's inflatable ring for the pool. Most dogs tolerate those very well, it doesn't envelop their heads like a cone does, they can eat and drink with it on, but shouldn't be able to reach a hind leg. They are not expensive and can be gotten at any pet store.
 
Awww poor guy...it must be so hard to keep him quiet and free of stress at a time like this. I agree with Sharon about the inflatable cone. What about asking the vet to give him something to relax him? Not to dope him up or anything like that but just something to take the edge off and make it easier for him to get through this, especially considering you’ll have to do it all over again in a month. I’m not 100% aware of what’s available short term to help settle him but it wouldn’t hurt to ask you vet.
 
I agree with the inflatable, the one we used for Teddy was a fabric covered air inflatable that had loops on the inside for his collar to go through and was held in place by the collar. We could put as much or as little air in it as we needed so he didn't get to his incision. We bought his on Amazon relatively cheaply.
 
I'm sorry to hear that Fainly is having problems with his cone. I would definitely switch him to an inflatable one. This is the one that I use, it's one-day shipping on Amazon and makes a world of difference. The dogs hardly even mind it and use it as a pillow. They can even eat and drink with it. I get a Medium for my 20 lb dogs; depending on Fainly's size, that would probably work for him too.

You can certainly trim the hair that's causing a problem. Use thinning shears if you have them, but if not, straight shears will do the job. Yes, it will grow back in a few months. The important thing is keeping him comfortable, (and you without problems!) and easy to manage. I second the suggestion of something to keep him calm if you vet will give you something. Even Gabapentin should help keep him quieter and is less of a tranquilizer.

I hope things improve and Fainly's leg heals quickly. Please let us know how he does when you can! :hugs
 
Ann said:
I'm sorry to hear that Fainly is having problems with his cone. I would definitely switch him to an inflatable one. This is the one that I use, it's one-day shipping on Amazon and makes a world of difference. The dogs hardly even mind it and use it as a pillow. They can even eat and drink with it. I get a Medium for my 20 lb dogs; depending on Fainly's size, that would probably work for him too.

You can certainly trim the hair that's causing a problem. Use thinning shears if you have them, but if not, straight shears will do the job. Yes, it will grow back in a few months. The important thing is keeping him comfortable, (and you without problems!) and easy to manage. I second the suggestion of something to keep him calm if you vet will give you something. Even Gabapentin should help keep him quieter and is less of a tranquilizer.

I hope things improve and Fainly's leg heals quickly. Please let us know how he does when you can! :hugs
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I can definitely recommend the inflated collar too! It worked perfectly for Liam post surgery and I also lent it to my friend who had a Dalmatian which had a sore on it’s tail! The dogs use it as a pillow and is so less stressful than a cone!
Prayers that this resolved quickly! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
 
Susan, I am so sorry that sweet Fainly is stressed out, but understandable after surgery. The suggestions for an inflatable collar are good, but if it ends up that cutting his fur around his neck is needed it will grow back just fine. I assume he is on good pain meds...because pain can be expressed by chewing. Also if he is too stressed you might ask the surgeon about a very mild sedative. Gentle hugs to Fainly.
Trini
 
If for some reason an inflatable cone does not work, I used a padded cone for Gavin when he had radiation on his rear leg. I had to use an XL on him as was VERY dedicated to getting to that leg.
 
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