Is the E Collar absolutely necessary after neutering a dog?

Question

I have a 1 year old dog who was neutered Friday, and we brought him home yesterday. He has this big fat E Collar around his neck and he crashes all around the house. I can't stand to see him like that. Is there any alternative? I was thinking about removing it tommorow since it would be 3 days. Thing is, I go to high school and won't be back till 3 P.M. My mom is home all the time, she is a manager at a hotel and we have our own place here. She is busy most of the morning.

Answer 1

I guess the question is "do you want to take the chance of your dog licking out his sutures and needing another surgery?"

I work in an emergency clinic and we see a lot of dogs that require a re-stitch because they were unattended and licked the incision.

I think that if you want to try without the collar, you might want to do it when you are there to watch him. Three days is not enough to be sure that he is healed.

Answer 2

E Collar After Neutering

Answer 3

You can remove the collar when you are home and can monitor him with your full attention- you can't let him chew at the incision site or he could tear it open and infect it. If you take the collar off and he leaves the incision alone, you can leave the collar off until you have to leave the house again. Whenever you're gone, you should leave it on until the vet tells you otherswise.

Also, if your dog has long or curly hair, take a brush and a comb and thoroughly groom the area under the collar every day.

One other thing you can try while removing the collar: buy a bottle of bitter apple training spray if you don't already have it. DO NOT spray it directly on your dog, spray it on one finger and gently apply it to the area AROUND the incision- don't put it directly on the cut or any other openings! Put it only on unbroken flesh in that region. If the dog goes to chew on the incision site, he will taste the apple spray and stop. The taste does wear off after a day or so, so you'll have to apply more every time you want to take the collar off.

Answer 4

Am not a vet tech or vet but have never used an E collar after any neutering. I've had more trouble with female dogs licking wounds. The E collar is not hard to put back on, if necessary, so try and see. If the dog is constantly licking, then you know the answer.

Answer 5

Look, yeah the collar is a pain, but if you can't watch him, leave it on because if he licks and bites those stitches and pulls out or infect them, he will have surgery again and wear the collar again.

I had to staple mine to get my dog to keep it on because she butted against everything. But eventually they will learn they have to deal with it. I mean really who is in control here? The dog needs to learn that some things are just best for him and he will need to chill.

Good luck really! And do take it off early if you like when you are watching constantly

Answer 6

it is best for you dog to leave the collar on until the vet tells you to remove it.

Answer 7

call the vet... see what they say. Its to be a deterrant so pooch doesn't eat the wound, pull stiches or whatever. my doggie never had to wear one. just call and ask the vet tomorrow. to be safe.

I know what you mean. feel sorry for the pup!! :o( if there isn't anyone to reall watch, i'd say no, but vet has final say right?

Good Luck!!
:o)

Answer 8

only if the dog goes after the stitching
if you can keep it from licking then u can take it off

Answer 9

leave it on him while he is alone so he cant pull out his stitches
when you get home and can watch him you could take it off for a while, just be sure and watch him

Answer 10

Try taking it off. If he leaves his stitches alone (which some doges will do), then problem solved.