Yes, it’s that time again for SVS’s official, totally real, not made-up at all E-collar Awareness Week!

The struggle is real when it comes to asking our clients to use an e-collar following their pet’s surgery, so the team at SVS has devoted an entire week to talking about it.

We understand that these clunky, hard cones are annoying and uncomfortable for your pet, but this discomfort is minimal in comparison to the discomfort your pet will feel when they lick the wound raw requiring the suture (stitches) to be replaced, typically with staples.

So what are the e-collar best practices?

Our guidelines are simple:   

1. Use the e-collar provided by SVS or an e-collar of similar style that is hard-sided and appropriately worn and fitted.

2. Keep the e-collar on your pet for the first 2 weeks after their surgery (unless otherwise instructed by the SVS team).

If you follow these two simple rules, you’ll be golden! 

What should you look for in an e-collar?  

Honestly: the simpler, the better. The traditional (and most effective) style is made from plastic, extends past the muzzle, and fits snuggly around the neck.  

Often, clients opt to replace their standard-issued e-collar with a seemingly more comfortable alternative. However, SOFT CONES (or donut cones) ARE NOT EFFECTIVE!!! They will not prevent your pet from licking their wounds. 

Just as the name suggests, soft cones are soft, flexible, and malleable. Your pet WILL find a way to contort the cone and reach their wound. This is why the best deterrent needs to be ridged and extend past the muzzle.

We know it looks uncomfortable, but we truly have your pet’s best interest at heart when we stress this point.

Why are e-collars important?

Animals are hardwired to lick their wounds, which has historically worked in their favor. However, with modern medicine this is no longer necessary.

If your pet is allowed to lick their wound it will:

1. Lengthen the healing time

2. Lengthen the time your pet will spend in the cone

3. For orthopedic implant surgeries, increase the risk of a bone plate infection, which could later require a limb amputation.

The best advice we can give is to keep the e-collar on for the first 2 weeks and let the wound heal in the way Dr. Simon intended.

Thanks for coming to our TED Talk!

To summarize this week: At SVS, nearly all of our patients are sent home with an e-collar following surgery, so we are very familiar with the importance of proper e-collar use. 

We understand that e-collars seem like a ridged and outdated tools, but trust us when we say that THEY WORK.

If you can bear with us through the 2-week e-collar period, you will be your setting your pet up for a healthy, speedy recovery.

Thanks for tuning in! Now go out a spread this mundane e-collar awareness to all your friends and family 😊