Before choosing to have your dog or cat neutered, there are usually a few steps involved: pet owners research the benefits and drawbacks of this medical operation, make an appointment with their veterinarian, and bring their animal to the clinic. But what is equally or even more significant than the preparation? Indeed, aftercare! The standard Elizabethan collar causes stress for pets, despite the fact that it is necessary to protect the surgical region for a quick recovery. Suitical has created The Recovery Suit as a pet-friendly substitute as a result.
The recovery suit is a classy replacement for the full-body bandage and/or medical cone. available in the Dog and Cat variants. After spaying or neutering, the surgical site is protected by this adaptable recovery suit. keeps pets from licking, biting, or scratching the incision or stitches.
The Recovery Suit won’t rub or cut into the legs or tail thanks to the soft, elastic, and protective stretch band that surrounds the front, back, and tail. The recovery suit is a perfect option for wound protection, giving comfort after surgery while enabling freedom of movement, in contrast to the “cone of shame.”
The recovery suit’s interior is partially light blue so the owner or veterinarian may see whether there has been any fluid or blood loss. A sanitary towel can be placed inside the suit or in the space between the double layers in the event of fluid loss. You can also place an ice pack in between the double layer if necessary.
If you intend to utilize the Recovery Suit for medical treatments, speak with your veterinarian beforehand. A proper course of action can be suggested by your veterinarian. Continually check to see if the fit is comfortable for your pet. We advise utilizing the Recovery Suit while your pet is always under the care of a responsible adult.
How long after a spay should a dog wear a recovery suit?
WHAT, FOURTEEN DAYS? WHAT, FOURTEEN DAYS? Yes, we are aware that fourteen days is a LONG time to… restrain your puppy or kitten, refuse to bathe them, inspect the site of their incision twice daily, and wear that Elizabethan collar! Just so you know, there is a method to our madness, we wanted to let you know (and demands).
It typically takes fourteen days for cats and dogs with typical wounds to recover. In addition, that is roughly how long it takes for people to heal. It’s important to keep in mind that if you underwent surgery like the one your pet did, you would be unable to do anything for around a month! Even though two weeks may feel like an eternity when you’re dealing with a boisterous puppy or kitten, it’s crucial to adhere to our instructions for the entire two weeks. If you let your pet engage in unrestricted activities when they are still not fully recovered, it could lead to complications that would require you to place even more restrictions on them. When feasible, I like to live by the adage “better to be safe than sorry” (and I hope you do, too!).
The truth can occasionally be a little frightening, and I don’t mean to scare you. One of the main reasons you need to keep your pet under control is because excessive movement or activity near the surgical site might cause the sutures to burst open. In female pets, there will be nothing to prevent the intestines and other organs from leaving the body if the sutures completely open. It should go without saying that your favorite pet could die as a result of this. Excessive activity in male pets may cause bleeding, which will fill the empty scrotal sac. If enough pressure builds up, it may even cause the scrotum to rupture. Needless to say, this is incredibly painful.
Why not take a bath? This can be a bit tough, especially if you have acquired your pet from a shelter and they really need a bath, or if you neglected to put a towel in your cat carrier and it ended up with your cat urinating or defecating in it while you were driving. You do not want to introduce bacteria to the surgical site by bathing your pet immediately following surgery. If necessary, waterless shampoo is available at pet stores. Just be careful not to use it near the operating room.
Two times every day, you must inspect the incision on your pet. This is crucial because, unless you actually look into it, you never know whether something is abnormally happening. Ask your pet to roll over so you can give it a good belly rub. Look for any redness, swelling, or discharge. As your pet heals, there can be a SMALL amount of bruising, redness, or swelling. But if you don’t check it twice a day, you won’t know if the incision’s appearance is steadily changing. You must bring your pet back to the veterinarian’s office for another inspection if the incision changes significantly.
All of the dogs and cats that have surgery with us are advised to wear Elizabethan collars (also known as e-collars or cones). Although it is simple for you to remember not to scratch at anything that hurts or itches, our pets are unable to do this. The e-collar is a fantastic tool for preventing self-harm in your pet. Pets do need a few days to grow acclimated to the e-collar, but they will adjust to it even more quickly if you wear it constantly. When you can’t DIRECTLY watch over your pet, keep it on. That includes times when you are sleeping, away from home, or when you are occupied watching TV or preparing supper and your pet isn’t in your direct line of sight. Amazingly swiftly, if you can’t stop them right away, they can nibble and chew at sutures, removing them. Try to recall the last time a wound was healing, and how itchy it became about 5-8 days afterwards. This is the most crucial moment to keep your electronic collar on.
How are canine measurements taken for a recovery suit?
Measure your dog from the base of the tail to the nape of the neck using a measuring tape. Step 2: Consult the sizing chart to determine the correct size. We advise choosing the smaller size if your dog is in the middle of two sizes.
Sizing Guide Way Off
I followed the offered sizing instructions, but it’s far too small for what we needed. Our 50-pound Belgian fits into the XL, but I also got a L just in case, and both are too big.
Good idea but dog was able to defeat it
it to your specifications for size. The neck area was quite snug, and the length was just a little bit long. However, it seemed to work well. Our dog was able to lift the object and lick the area around it, preventing the wound from healing. We disliked having to use the cone, but it was necessary, and the wound is already mending. A lesser size, in my opinion, would have been unpleasant for him. It might have worked if it had been tighter around the wound region. Therefore, it probably would have worked if the neck size and wound sites could have been adjusted. He also appeared to feel at ease with them.
Great even for bully breeds
The physician suggested the Suitical Recovery Suit since my dog won’t even walk with the cone of shame on after having surgery that left a sizable wound on her left hip. It worked so well that I purchased a backup so she could always have a clean one.
No cone of Shame
She returned to us with the cone of SHAME following her spaying procedure! With that satellite dish wrapped around her head at home, getting about was challenging. This suit was mentioned to us by a friend. went directly to Chewy, ordered as usual (simple), and received delivery the following day (Awesome.) It was easy for Auroara to navigate. To go to the bathroom, unhook the back. AWESOME product.
Recovery Jacket
It’s been very helpful for my dog and me because sometimes he doesn’t have to wear the cone; instead, he can put the jacket on and it’s breathable, and I’ll store it if I ever need it in the future. I recently ordered a recovery jacket for my dog after his surgery, and the size was just right just like in the description.
Durability issues!!
Functionality-wise, this is effective for our Great Dane after gastropexy and neutering. In terms of durability, it is completely ineffective. The onesie has only been worn for three days and the seam at the neck is already separating. The biggest size they have is this. He doesn’t fit in his kennel with the cone on, so we’ve purchased another. Even huge breed dogs are mentioned here.
Fits perfectly!
It is such a relief that this came so promptly! Due to their position, I was unable to bandage or protect the two owies on the neck of my 23-pound Cocker Spaniel. This completely conceals them! She looks quite cute while wearing it, and she doesn’t mind at all! Regards, Chewy! purchased size S
Great for my corgi
After my Pembroke Welsh Corgi was spayed, this worked for her. She needed something to prevent her incision from becoming dirty and prevent her from nibbling at it during the day because she rides a lowrider (at night she wore the crown of shame). Excellent fit; our corgi’s size small was perfect. The only criticism I have is that I never did figure out how to connect it so I had to wrap a clean cotton T-shirt around it and pin it when I went outside. I watched the video, but it did not demonstrate how to do it. I also read the instructions, which stated to hook it to the blue snap on the underside while leaving the house, but that did not work for us. Not sure how two straps would be held up by one snap.
Can I dress my dog in a onesie rather than a cone?
Put your cat or small dog in a onesie as one of the simplest substitutes for the cone of shame. Your pet will be completely protected by a onesie, which will cover their body and stop them from licking or ripping at any stitches. It’s also a much cuter alternative.
You must choose the appropriate size while dressing your pet in a onesie. My 5 kg cat need a nine-month onesie, but my 8 kg cat required an 18-month onesie when I tested this on my pets. (My 8 kg cat, Cement, looked extremely grumpy in his onesie, as you can see in the photo below, but that is nothing new.)
If you don’t need quite as much coverage, you can use a baby shirt, which would cover the shoulders and upper stomach. Depending on where the stitches are, you might need a whole onesie, one that snaps at the bottom, for which you’ll need to cut out a hole for the tail.
To ensure that the onesie fits comfortably, you might need to make a few minor alterations as well. For example, you might need to use a pair of scissors to widen the arm or neck openings or pin the torso to create a tighter fit.
How do you dress a dog in a suit?
Our Recovery Suit is composed of soft, stretchy, high-quality cloth since we understand how crucial it is to be able to rapidly dress and undress your dog. To prevent your dog from wriggling out, the Recovery Suit has a tight fit. However, it’s crucial to continue keeping an eye on your dog to make sure the snug fit isn’t too tight. Let’s have a look at how easy it is to put the Recovery Suit on and take it off your dog!
Step 1: Hold the central head opening of the Recovery Suit in your palm and roll it up. Ensure that the inner, light blue layer is pointing downward. Your dog’s head should fit through the aperture.
Step 2: Next, slide one leg into the smaller leg opening that is offered, and the other leg into the other available smaller opening.
Step 3: Now, fully encircle your dog’s body with the Recovery Suit.
Step 4: Pull the lower belly flaps forward, toward the upper portion near the base of the tail, between the back legs.
Step 5: Use the snaps or poppers to fasten the two flaps. To keep the suit completely in place, we recommend that you close all snaps and poppers.
Step 6: Check to see if there is sufficient space for movement and breathing around the legs, neck, and tail.
Is a cone preferable to a recovery suit?
So the question is, should a dog onesie be used in place of a cone? It depends, is the succinct response. Some circumstances call for the usage of both an e-collar and a dog recovery suit, while other circumstances call for the former. What are the crucial elements to take into account while deciding between a dog recovery suit and a cone?
Location of injury
Use a dog onesie or an e-collar if the area you’re trying to protect is on your dog’s trunk or abdomen. Both of these devices will be efficient in preventing access to sutures from surgeries on the gastrointestinal system, urogenital system, chest, and spine, as well as any injury or skin disease in the back or belly. However, an e-collar is your best option if the patient has a medical condition that affects the limbs, face, or tail. The e-collar restricts the tongue’s range of motion and the animal’s ability to scratch at its head. It is therefore more adaptable than the dog recovery suit, which only covers the animal’s chest and abdomen.
Your dog’s willpower
Some dogs have a strong urge to touch something they’re not supposed to, and this urge drives them to do so. You’d be shocked to learn that the opposite can be true. For example, you might imagine that a dog with a strong desire to lick or bite the site would benefit from utilizing a solid and durable cone rather than a soft, cotton onesie.
Our furry pals may become agitated when utilizing a cone, which increases their propensity for self-traumatizing behavior. There have been instances where dogs who act aggressively when confined to a cone suddenly become calm when dressed in a onesie.
However, combining a cone and a onesie may be a solution for dogs who simply won’t stop pawing at their wounds or sutures. To relieve their discomfort, you can choose to take off the cone, but keep an eye on them at all times, even when they are still in their onesie.
Your dog’s comfort
The comfort of your dog during the healing process is a medical concern in addition to an animal welfare one. The hormone cortisol tends to suppress the immunological response during prolonged periods of stress. According to studies, this results in slower wound healing, a higher risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and diarrhea, as well as poorer nutritional digestion and absorption. It is obvious that reducing stress in dogs recovering from surgery or sickness might improve healing.
Unfortunately, it seems that wearing a cone significantly reduces canine comfort. This may show up in one of two ways. With their ears flat on their heads and their eyes wide with agony, some dogs have a melancholy and mournful appearance. Others are hysterical and restless, making frantic attempts to remove the device. Fur parents start looking for a dog cone substitute because of this in order to help the animal be calm and at ease.
The cone’s interference with sight and sound reception is most likely what’s causing this severe discomfort. The wide brim of the e-collar severely restricts a dog’s peripheral vision. As sound waves travel around the animal’s head and enter its ears, the cone also has a tendency to enhance them. Given that dogs have considerably more sensitive hearing than humans do, it is understandable why this might be upsetting to them. Dogs can become confused and frightened due to their limited field of vision and excruciatingly loud noises, which accounts for their sorrowful demeanor upon donning the cone.
However, utilizing a dog recovery shirt or suit rather of an e-collar is significantly less limiting on hearing and vision. Many dogs, especially those accustomed to wearing clothing, have no issues getting around in a onesie. They are able to eat, drink, and engage in other activities without any problems, which suggests that wearing it causes them little to no stress.
Your convenience
Your time and focus are needed to help your dog heal. It entails giving them medications and ointments, seeing to it that they eat and drink, keeping an eye out for signs of infection or recurrence, and continuously ensuring that they are recovering properly. Ideally, whatever you employ to prevent them from removing their stitches should continue to be in place, allowing you to go about your day without too much concern.
This shouldn’t be an issue if your dog is accustomed to wearing a cone. However, if they aren’t, you might need to take it out occasionally to let them engage in other things. For instance, you’ll need to give them a break every few hours if the cone keeps them from eating, drinking, or using the restroom. It may require some time to take the e-collar off and put it back on, depending on its design. Although it is possible to train your dog to feel at ease in a cone, success will require patience, persistence, and time.
For many pet owners, utilizing a recovery t-shirt instead of a dog’s e-collar is more practical. Onesies for dogs feature a clip-up mechanism that makes it simple for them to relieve themselves without getting their recovery suit filthy or needing to put it on and take it off every time a dog goes outside. They are made to meet the demands of our four-legged pals. Only when you wash it do you need to remove it.
Consider the suit’s ability to stabilize the bandage when contrasting the ease of a dog recovery suit vs. a cone. With a little scraping, it helps hug the bandage against the skin and keep it from slipping or sliding. Even the dog onesies have a little pocket where you may put gauze sheets to absorb wound exudates and extra topical medication. This is ideally located near where many surgical incisions are performed, in the abdomen area.
