It's one of the most overlooked items post recovery
Every day dogs and cats go are admitted into veterinary hospitals around the country for surgical procedures ranging from spay and neuter, luxating patella or other.
The focus leading up to surgery morning is to prep the pet for the big day. Standard instructions from the vet include fasting prior to the event.
And once surgery is completed you get a call from the vet, you breath a sigh of relief and pick up your pet (dog or cat).
If the surgical area needs to be protected, its standard procedure to pick up your dog or cat already wearing a dog cone or cat cone. These plastic rigid devices are stocked as a standard at any animal medical facility. They are often called the "cone of shame" because of how despondent the pet looks while they are wearing it.
It starts off while they are waking up from being under
One of the reasons why dogs and cats dislike this cone so much is the unpleasant experience they will have with it from the second they realize they are wearing it. If it's a major surgery the pet will be put under anaesthesia. As they wake up they will be groggy, confused and naturally trying to stand up.
Imagine for one moment how distressing these initial seconds are. They might bump into the edges of the crate, and they are probably looking for you. Everything smells differently and everything sounds LOUD. The reason for this is the rigid cone acts as a speaker amplifying sound back into your dog or cat's ears. They do calm down with the help of an animal professional who stays on close watch as they start their journey to recovery.
That's why we invented our collars - because we care
Our first design was for our own Boxer. We wanted a better solution than what we could find in the shops. We've evolved from that first first prototype and worked with veterinarians and animal behaviorists whose feedback we listened to when we came up with our final designs.
Kong Cushion for Post Surgery
The first premium pet recovery collar we recommend for all pets (dogs and cats and rabbits too if needed) would be our inflatable Kong Company Kong Cushion. It's soft design minimizes any jarring as your dog or cat starts to wake up from anaesthesia. Additional thought went into the colors of the product because these are the colors they can see and are soothing. The collar comes in five sizes and adjustable around the neck. It allows for maximum visibility and it doesn't amplify sound back into their ears.
We show a photo of a dog wearing one from our Instagram page below:
Why we recommend having a second collar on hand
After you check out and settle your bill with the vet you are sent home with your very groggy dog or cat, and a sheet of post recovery instructions plus and meds they have to take.
You'll find the first few hours to be un-eventful as your dog or cat wears off the anesthesia and starts to become more alert. This is where the secondary collar comes in.
Depending on the location of the surgical spot, and the intensity of your dog or cat trying to get to their stitches, they might need an actual cone for their own protection and allow them to heal.
The Calmer™ is a brilliant evolution in recovery collars.
Made out of fabric with three adjustable velcro strips, this caring alternative to the plastic cone is our next most popular pet recovery collar. It allows you to have peace of mind that your dog or cat is wearing a collar that doesn't cause them distress. It's soft and malleable design doesn't impact their quality of life. You can see this collar below.
Another reason we recommend a second collar in your first aid kit is due to the fact that you don't know how your dog or cat will react to the cone or inflatable pillow. Having options allows you to try different ones that they will tolerate and not try to take off.
Purchase them ahead of time so you can make sure they fit
Most recovery periods range from 1 to 4 days. By the time you go home with the plastic "cone of shame" that the vet sends you home with and realize your dog or cat is miserable in it, you won't have enough time to order one and have it arrive in time for when you actually need it.
Shipping is free when you purchase directly from Pet Recovery Collars and we recommend you order them as soon as you know your dog or cat is going to go in for surgery. That way you can have time to measure them and order the right size. Ideally you would have them start to become comfortable with them prior to surgery day and actually train them to wear it for a few hours each day leading up to the big day. That way when they come home they are already used to either of the collars you have them wear.
And if you have ANY questions at all about our products. Feel free to call us. We take your pet's recovery needs seriously and we want to help you select the correct collar.