With the help of e-collars, your pets will not be able to reach their wounds or get infected. But wearing an e-collar for a long time may cause irritation and pain on the dog’s neck. There are chances that your dog may suffer skin lesions and sores because of the plastic rubbing against their skin.
If you notice that there is a sign of soreness, redness, or excessive scratching at the collar site; then it would be best to apply lotion or vaseline to avoid any additional friction while they wear the collar. Also, take off their collar at times and let them roam freely in their space for some hours every day. If they still persist on scratching their wound, put back on their cone immediately until they completely heal.
A sore is usually caused by chafing.
A sore of this type is usually caused by chafing. Chafing can happen when the dog wears his e-collar for too long, or if the collar is not loose enough around his neck. Constant rubbing of the e-collar over a certain spot can also cause chafing.
Sores typically appear on the sides of your dog’s neck at the point where the e-collar buckles, but in some cases they may appear around other parts of your dog’s body as well, especially if he has been wearing an inflatable collar instead of a plastic one.
To prevent chafing sores from occurring again in future, make sure that your dog’s Elizabethan collar is neither too tight nor too loose around his neck. Check him periodically to ensure that it does not slip down to his shoulders, because this will cause irritation and even more friction. If you do find that it has slipped down to his shoulder area after you put it on him, simply adjust it so that it covers his head and face properly again.
Sores can ooze or have a white crust.
As an owner, you’ve probably experienced your dog’s sudden desire to lick and scratch the area under their Elizabethan collar or bite their bottom or tail. This is because their skin is sore from rubbing against the hard plastic edge of the e-collar. Over time, sores can develop under the collar. Sores can ooze or have a white crust covering them. They may become red and swollen, sometimes forming a scab that looks like a bug bite on your dog’s skin.
Use vaseline or lotion to prevent sores.
- Use a thin, even layer to cover the skin that will be covered by the collar. A little goes a long way.
- Use caution when applying it to your pet—it may be slippery or messy. If you have trouble applying it to your pet, try putting on the lotion while they sit or lie still, but be warned that this can make it harder to keep the lotion applied evenly. The best way is likely either to stand with them and split it up into two applications (one from each side), or to get down on their level and apply from below.
- Reapply it every day or every other day, depending on how quickly your pet seems to wear through the protective barrier.
- Do not use vaseline/petroleum jelly if there is an open wound–you should apply salve instead.
Sometimes, you might need to take off the collar for a few hours each day.
It’s important to keep an eye on your dog when it doesn’t have the collar on.
While your dog will still have its sense of smell, visual range and hearing, they won’t be able to clearly see their surroundings and may not be able to detect danger.
If you’re in a public place and there’s a chance that your dog may run off, use a leash to keep them safe. Never rely on the e-collar alone to stop your pet from running off.
Stop using the collar if it doesn’t seem to be working.
If there’s no improvement in the condition of your pet’s wound, it may be time to stop using the collar. You can tell if your pet is getting better by whether or not he is licking at his wound any longer. If the wound begins to look worse, take off the collar and check for signs of infection or moistened hair.
If you notice excessive moistening from licking, remove the collar immediately. Similarly, if you notice that your pet’s skin has gotten red and inflamed around the site of his wound, remove the collar and consult a vet right away as this may be a sign of infection.
There are several ways to treat sores.
There are a couple of ways to treat e collar sores. The most important thing to remember is that the dog and you both must be able to prevent her from lapping at and licking the sore. If this isn’t happening, you only need to try one method at a time until it works.
There are two things in particular you should do when the dog is licking an e collar sore:
- take your dog for regular walks so she gets some exercise
- try different collars or a different size