Three Cones in Three Days

In three days, Buster's worn three collars intended to stop him from licking: Ejay Bite Free, Procollar Inflatable, and the Comfycone.  Actually, if you count the cone of shame that he wore home, he's modeled four collars.  Today's picture is an aerial shot of Bup in the Comfycone.  We liked the Ejay collar best but soon learned Buster could lick his lower leg while wearing it.  We then bought a Procollar and learned he could lick his knee and upper leg.  So then we tried the Comfycone.  At least he can't lick anything, except his foot.

As soon as we put the Comfycone on him, he hung his head.  You know the posture of a dog shamed by a lampshade?  Yep.

The positive features of the Comfycone is that it is easy to wipe clean and is adjustable.  The edges fold back so that your pup can eat and drink.  It is softer so the dog can lie down more comfortably.  Beyond that, it has the same disadvantages as a cone of shame--isolation, inhibition of the dog's movements, blocking peripheral vision, etc...

It is bendable to make it easier for the dog to eat and drink.  We don't find that the fold makes it much easier for Buster to drink and only makes it a little easier for him to eat.  Also when it is folded back, Buster can place his front paws against the fold and try to pull it off.

The Procollar's advantages are that it is very comfortable, does not block the dog's peripheral vision or isolate the dog, and does not inhibit the dog's maneuverability as much.  Our friends at Pyrenees Pets have heard that they pop.  For us the failure to prevent Buster from licking any part of his leg led to its immediate removal and subsequent return to the big box retailer.

The Ejay Bite Free's advantages are that it gives clear peripheral vision, maneuverability, is comfortable (it is foam-lined), and is adjustable.   The negatives are the name, that you have to measure your dog and special order, and that it didn't restrict Buster enough.

Annoyingly, the surgical cone that the surgical center used was NOT reusable.  This really bothers me because plastic is not biodegradable and we would have simply placed that back on Buster but instead had to cut it off him in the first place and then had to go out and spend more money.

We are not in love with any of these products, especially given that they are far more expensive than a typical surgical cone.  In the end, your dog should be kept quiet after knee surgery and should not move a lot.  You should be with your dog when he or she is moving through a room, so you should be guiding your dog past obstacles.  You are the eyes, ears, and leader.  So these cone alternatives, like so many pet products, are more for the owners than they are for the dog.

We Have Touch Down!

Buster is doing very well today.  He had extra sedative because both parents had to work in the morning.

He has been toe touching but not weight bearing since last night.  Today he typically has the post-operative toes on the floor without weight.  This is especially exciting because it is normal for a dog to begin touching down within 24 to 48 hours after a TPLO.  Buster took much longer after his first surgery so it is really exciting to see him progressing so quickly.

The edema at his hock is nearly gone today, whether because he had a lot of broth to flush his system or maybe from massage.  Also exciting to see so much immediate response.

He did try to head out for a walk today when mom came home from work but she made him turn around and come back to the house.  Surely he was strolling to Tassajara Commons and his many lady friends at the hardware, vet, and pet store.  Oh, and to visit the gorgeous blonde hair dressers too.

The leakage from the incision stopped.  So we didn't have to take Buster back to the vet today.

We don't think his fancy bite-free collar was working for him so he's now sporting an inflatable.  Seriously it looks like a swim ring.  He'll be able to go boating after he recovers.  Maybe that's mom's excuse to get a paddle boat.  Will they let me take out a dog on a paddle boat at Del Valle?