After Fido has had a surgical procedure his natural inclination leads him to try and lick the area of the incision. Dogs lick wounded areas instinctively to clean them. Unfortunately, this practice causes damage to the stitches and risks opening the wound. Thankfully, several methods exist to discourage a dog from licking a surgical site.
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Elizabethan Collar
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Veterinarians often place an Elizabethan collar, also known as a lampshade, cone or e-collar, on the dog to prevent it from licking stitches. These large plastic cones surround the dog̵7;s head, denying it access to the wounded area. To insure a secure fit, pet owners should thread the dog̵7;s collar at the base of the e-collar, rather than keep the gauze band it often comes with.
Dogs may experience difficulty moving about the house without knocking into doorways and furniture while wearing an e-collar. Additionally, they may also have problems accessing food and water dishes. Pet owners help this situation by raising the dishes by placing them on top of books or getting a food bowl stand.
Soft-e-Collar
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The BonaFido Company manufactures a product called the Soft-e-Collar. This collar gives pet owners an alternative to the e-collar, which often proves awkward and uncomfortable for pets. A vinyl covered, large, flat pillow that fits around the pet̵7;s neck, the Soft-e-Collar allows dogs to comfortably perform their normal activities without the cumbersome cone blocking their food dish or causing them to knock into furniture and doorways.
Cover the Area
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The experts at VetInfo.com advise readers to cover the site using bandages. While bandages covering a wound may slow the healing process, the undesirable results that come from licking cause more serious effects are best avoided. However, some dogs may try to tear off bandages, which may inadvertently damage the stitches. Some pet owners find more success with other methods of covering the area, such as putting a t-shirt on the dog, which would prove more difficult to remove than bandages.
Topical Deterrents
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Products featuring an unpleasant taste applied to the wound deter dogs from licking the area. For instance, bitter apple products combine a scent and taste displeasing to dogs, causing them to avoid the area. The products do not irritate the sensitive skin or cause irritation of any kind to the wound. Additionally, bitter apple does not harm fabrics or damage furniture or carpeting.
Muzzle
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In extreme cases where other methods fail, a muzzle prevents the dog from accessing the area by keeping its mouth closed. While an unpleasant alternative, it succeeds in keeping the incision area protected. You will need to remove the muzzle to allow your dog to eat and drink water with ease.
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