The most important things Absolutely no licking of the incision area is allowed! If your pet is going to lick or begins to lick their incision, they need to wear an E-Collar (plastic cone) for 7-10 days after surgery. A pet can pull out stitches easily which can lead much more damage.
Typically, a dog will need to wear their cone for 10 to 14 days after a spay or neuter surgery — but will need it for much longer (6 to 12 weeks) for orthopedic surgeries. With some simple conditioning, it will be much easier for you to put the cone on and take it off your dog throughout their recovery.
Soft Collars. Flexible Fabric E-Collars. Inflatable E-Collars. Onesies or Clothing.
The cone should stay on until the site is fully healed, and/or the sutures are removed. Most sutures and staples are left in for 10-14 days. Other lesions may take less or more time than that to heal completely.
You should avoid taking off your dog's cone while they are sleeping, as they are designed to allow dogs to sleep normally. It may take them some time to get used to, and it may be tempting to remove it to help them sleep more comfortably, but cones should be kept on as long as possible, including at night.
Keep the Cone On
Only remove it sparingly when absolutely necessary. Most dogs will eventually learn how to maneuver and get along just fine with their cone. A little extra encouragement by way of attention can help your dog feel a little less worried about the contraption around their head.
Your pet needs to be kept in an indoor crate/ kennel for most of the day and night for the next 10 days. The time of highest risk for the sutures breaking down is 3-5 days after surgery.
Keep her as quiet as possible for one week. Too much activity too soon will disrupt the healing process and can lead to swelling and/or the formation of a fluid pocket under the incision. If a fluid pocket does form (seroma), it should go away on its own in a few weeks. Short on-leash walks are okay.
If your furry companion is on the smaller side, a “onesie” may be a good choice. Made of soft, stretchy fabric, this bodysuit covers cats and dogs beginning at the neck, along the body and over the hindquarters.
Abdomen wounds: Short-sleeved T-shirts knotted at the waist are a good way to protect sutures located on your pet's abdomen. Hindquarters wounds: Short-sleeved T-shirts put on backwards (tail through neck hole, legs through arm holes) and knotted to secure can help protect hindquarters sutures.
Any time after surgery, we strive to send your pet home with an incision that looks as nice as possible. The plastic cone or E collar (for Elizabethan collar) was created to prevent licking. Without it, licking or chewing can cause irritation and infection, which may leave a hairless, discolored, ugly scar – for life.
Excessive licking can irritate the incision site causing inflammation, leading to further infection, and will even cause it to reopen. Licking and chewing on the wound will also tear the sutures and require you to visit the vet again to close it properly.
Cuddles, cuddles and more cuddles
Your dog loves to be by your side, so post-op recovery is a perfect time to cozy up with your pet and relax together.
This disorder is often referred to as “spay incontinence” because it appears in female dogs after they have been spayed. The cause of incontinence in these patients is most likely related to decreased estrogen levels associated with removing the ovaries during the spay.
Either way, it is very important that you limit your pet's movements during the 7 to 10 day recovery period, as strenuous activity, such as running, jumping or playing, could disrupt the healing process and even cause the incision to become swollen or open.
The first week after your dog is spayed or neutered is the critical week where you want to make sure your dog is not playing rough or running or jumping. A few days after the procedure, it is probably OK to involve your pup in controlled leash walks – this includes walking up and down the stairs.
Spend Extra Time with Your Dog
Your dog will feel confused and uncomfortable after her surgery. Set aside extra time to snuggle with her, pet her, and just dote on your pup. The more reassurance she has from you, the better she'll feel.
The discomfort caused by spay or neuter surgeries usually only lasts a few days and should be gone after a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days you should contact your vet to get further advice.
Alternatives to the “cone of shame” are inflatable collars, soft E-collars and neck brace collars. Try covering the wound with soft fabric secured by medical tape to prevent licking. Keep pets busy with other fun things to distract them from licking wounds.
If your pet struggles with the cone, there is actually a pretty easy DIY alternative to keep your furry friend comfortable while they recover at home. You can make your pet a “jacket” out of an old T-shirt, and it can cover wounds or scars just like the cone.
Five Different Types of Alternatives to Dog Cones:
Inflatable collars: allow more movement and a comfier fit. Neck control collars: restrict movement more than soft e-collars but like inflatable collars interfere less with peripheral vision and ears. Surgical recovery clothing: not a cone!
A veterinarian will generally advise that a pet wear an e-collar if they have an open wound, a hot spot, a lump, a wart, etc. Having your pet wear a cone while we are trying to clear up any kind of infection on the skin is a crucial step in the healing process!
The Comfy Cone uses Velcro for tight closures, making it easy to get the cone on and off animals quickly. And the cone can be reversed inside and out, as well as front to back to support shoulder and upper back injuries.