Hey guys, my brother’s pup, Frankie, a little mastiff/presa cross, is close to 10 months old now and both testicles still hadn’t dropped. He wanted to wait a bit longer in hopes of the less evasive surgery but his vet felt it was time to go in. His surgery was last Tuesday and went very well. They were both easily located, together in his groin.

I guess there were some problems with dew claws growing oddly and irritating him so the vet suggested removing those as well. Don’t know that I’d of gone that route but it’s done and his back legs are bandaged with booties.

The pup is fully crate trained and does really well but he’s got an ideal situation with my mom, a retired RN, in the same town (100’s of miles away from me unfortunately). She absolutely adores this pup. Since the surgery on Tuesday he’s been bringing Frankie to her place before work.

It sounds like she’s doing a great job keeping the incision clean and getting him out for washroom duty and short walks around her yard. However, when she called today she was quite concerned about this Elizabethan collar he’s wearing.

She said he does fine with his bully sticks and she’s raised his food bowl so he can get his head in it. She was even amazed at how he’s able to sleep with it. Said she fully understands its purpose and wouldn’t think of taking it off.

The serious concern entered her voice when she started telling me how he had bumped into the wall. She’s really worried he’s going to do it again and hurt himself. When he’s up now, she said she follows him around and guides him through doorways and around the corners and furniture. I can just see my poor mother.

I’ve only used the Elizabethan collar on a couple of occasions. It was never for any length of time and was always off when I was around to supervise.

Apparently Frankie has to wear his for the next two weeks. He has a fairly stocky, short neck.

Does anyone have any experience with or suggestions for an alternative collar for this poor pup? I think it would do my mom a world of good.

Not the best picture, taken with his girlfriend on a cell phone

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/Frankie.jpg

This is the collar I used on my dog after his surgery years ago. I don't know if there is one that will fit your brother's dog, but it never hurts to ask. My vet carried them. Maybe your brother can ask his vet to order one for him.

http://petprojectblog.com/archives/general/alternative-to-elizabethan-collar/

If the dog is supervised with your mom, does he have to wear it? Might be nice to give him a break from it

For what it's worth once they bump that collar into the wall a couple of times they seem to figure it out. I had a foster that I swear used it like a weapon on purpose and would ram you with it if she wanted your attention.

The collar Lisa suggested seems like a good alternative. I will also say that the inflatable ones they sell at pet stores not worth the money unless he's the type to leave it alone. My Vice had it off and popped within a couple of hours while I was gone and he was in the crate.

Excellent link Lisa, thank you. I knew there were alternatives out there but had no idea what they were called. My searching brought back everything from flea collars to E-collars but no alternatives to the cone.

The “Bite Not” looks like a great collar. Does it work well? Any issues with neck stiffening if they were to leave it on for an extended period? He’s got a pretty short, thick neck, are they adjustable?

And yes Melissa, with mom he’s supervised. I don’t think she would think about leaving him alone on her shift. I suggested removing it but they’re following vet’s directions. He’s a fairly big boy too and I’m not sure my mom would be a good match for him should he set that big head on removing some stitches. She loves him to pieces and I can’t see that kind of struggle having any productive outcome.

And that’s funny Juliana. A weapon. It sounds like mom might be doing some fancy side-stepping to make sure he doesn’t bang into anything and that probably includes her.

I don’t know how hard the bang was but she was quite concerned talking about it. I said mom, he’s a mastiff, a little bump on the neck is not going to hurt him. She feels that with the surgeries he’s recovering from he doesn’t need any more aches and pains.

And thanks for the heads up on any inflatable ones I come across. He’s a fairly low energy pup and not destructive in any way from what they’re saying. The day I met him, I’d almost use lethargic as descriptor but they assured me that was his nature.

Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated. I'm sending them the link. Those look like great collars Lisa, I wonder why the vets wouldn't be stocking or promoting them.

Sometimes elizabethan collars are referred to as e-collars. If you google "soft elizabethan collars for dogs", you should find links to several options. I think that they are available through petco, petsmart, amazon etc. I have used the soft elizabethan collar (comfy cone) and it was fine, but again, it depends on the particular dog. Some dogs are really sensitive to having restricted vision and the comfy cone does restrict the visual field. For dogs like that, I have heard of some "clear" plastic ones, but have no personal experience with them.

Thanks Mary and yes, after I got the name and did a little more searching, it finally dawned on me (yes I’m blonde) that the e-collar links coming back were actually the Elizabethan collar. (duh) Well I know now and really appreciate everyone’s help.

My brother sent me some pictures today. He says Frankie is doing just fine. Mom is a mom and that very much extends to our four legged family members. She’ll get through this.

And it looks like he’s got the clear collar. Can’t tell whether he has two or it just goes opaque in the sunlight.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/Frankiecollar.jpg

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/Frankiecollar1.jpg

And my brother’s a bit of a jokester, I’m sure he set this one up.

http://i684.photobucket.com/albums/vv210/wolfpup2227/Frankie5.jpg

I have a lot of experience with e-collars, both at work and on my own pets. Yes, they are like weapons! I don't think that they really bother they dogs as much as the people to be honest.

The one your brother's dog is wearing, I believe is a bit too large for him - unless he is very determined, or very flexible. Sometimes with longer-necked dogs we will give them a big one because it tends to slip back, but not with a stocky dog like that. If it remains a problem they can trim it down a bit and cover the edge with tape so it's not sharp.

Great information, thanks Phaedra, I'll pass it on.

My Striker only wore his collar for about 3 days. I also took it off every chance I could. Exercise/play sessions and 'cuddle time. If I was at work or unable to supervise him, the collar went back on.
Striker wore his due to hot spots, apparantly he was allergic to hairspray and we were finishing his championship. I didn't realize his handler was spraying him. (BTW, I found emu oil to work wonders on his hot spots - just in case someone wants to try that)

Poor Frankie - I love the pics of him, my daughter said he looks sad.
I hope he heals quickly.