Dog - Veterinary Collars (Elizabethan)

What is a surgical collar and when are they used?

Sometimes it is necessary to use a special type of collar to prevent your pet from attacking a particular area, such as a wound or bandage dressing. They take two forms: Elizabethan collars and tubular collars.

Tubular collars are only available for use with certain sizes of dogs. They consist of a plastic tube and work by casting the neck so the animal cannot turn round and reach the affected area. In some dogs they are very effective at stopping it from turning and chewing at an area but in others they do not work at all. The fit and comfort are essential.

Elizabethan collars (also known as buster collars) are large plastic cone shaped structures placed around the dog’s neck and head. They extend forward so the wider base is level with the end of the animal’s muzzle. Thus when the animal turns its head it cannot touch any area of its body with its muzzle. If your dog has had surgery on its ears these collars are often used because they also protect the head from being scratched by the paws.

Are there any special precautions I need to take when I use one of these collars?

• You should always check that the collar is comfortable and not causing any soreness by rubbing.
• It is also essential that your dog cannot slip the collar off.
• It may take your dog a little time to adjust to wearing the collar and it may initially struggle. Do not be alarmed by this but stay with him and try to encourage him to relax. You should try to avoid taking the collar off when your dog is struggling as this teaches him to struggle in order to get the collar taken off. This will encourage him to continue struggling for longer when you try again.
• When your dog is wearing either of these types of collar it is easier to startle him as his visual input is restricted or disrupted to some degree. For example, your dog cannot see to the side and so you should make sure that anyone approaching talks to him as they do so to warn him of the approach.
• An Elizabethan collar will also act like an ear horn and magnify the volume of sounds directed towards it, whilst eliminating the ability to locate its direction and so your dog may be more sensitive or jumpy to noises. It may take your dog a little time to adjust to this. In the meantime, anyone approaching your dog must be warned of this as a frightened dog may snap first and investigate later.
• If a tubular collar is used, your dog may be aware that it cannot turn its head and detect things quite so easily. It is not surprising therefore that it may appear a bit restless and unwilling to settle. This is because dogs find it easier to keep a watch on their environment if they are standing and able to turn their whole body towards any stimulation.
• Some dogs may learn to use the rim of the collar to rub against the area supposedly being protected. You should watch for this and notify your vet if you spot him doing this. A different length collar may be required.
• It is important to make sure that your dog can drink with the collar on and it is not normally necessary to take the collar off while your pet feeds. You may need to raise the bowl up or fix it to a platform though to allow him to do this more easily.
• You should exercise your dog on the lead when it is wearing its collar, unless instructed otherwise. It has been known for a dog with an Elizabethan collar on to go scavenging and get its head stuck in a plastic bag with fatal consequences.
• You should never leave your dog unsupervised without the collar on. Remember it only takes a split second for the dog to damage the area being protected. Also it is easier for your dog to adapt to wearing the collar the whole time than to have to keep adjusting to it being on, then off and then on again.

Are there any other alternatives to these collars?

Your vet will have chosen to use the collar after considering the alternatives like the use of a muzzle, sedatives or the application of offensive tasting substances to the area to be protected. If you feel that the collar is not working or that one of the alternatives would be just as effective and preferable then you should not be afraid to discuss this with your veterinary surgeon.