Poor Lucy.
She went out on a walk with The Girl about 10 days ago and must have brushed up against the wrong thing because when she came back inside, we could tell something was bothering her left eye.
We didn’t see anything though and figured that whatever it was, it would work its way out.
Well, it didn’t and she was squinting a bit off and on for a few days and so yesterday we decided to take her to the vet. After an examination and a stain test our vet told us that our sweet little Miss Lucy has corneal ulcers. 🙁
Lucy has an appointment to go back in a few days for a checkup {to make sure the meds are working} but in the mean time our poor little pup has to wear a plastic cone {or English bonnet as I prefer to call it} around her head AT ALL TIMES so she doesn’t touch her eyes.
Can you imagine sleeping with a plastic cone on your head? Oh Lucy! 🙁 I feel so bad for her.
We have to put the medicine on her eyes 3 times a day, give her eye drops and she’s also taking 25 mg of trazadone every 12 hours to keep her relaxed.
I wish there was something I could do to make her more comfortable. I’m just thankful this happened during the winter rather than the summer so she can just stay inside and relax.
Has your dog had to wear one of these cones before? Do you have any tips you can share?
~Mavis
Julie says
They make sturdy fabric ones of shame that are a lot more comfortable. (At least they appear to be. Ha. Never tried one myself. ) Look on Amazon.
Julie K Whitmore says
That should be “cones”, obviously.
Sandy says
They make cute “soft” collars now that work the same but seem more comfortable.
https://www.chewy.com/alfie-pet-noah-lion-dog-cat-recovery/dp/137453?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12799171409&utm_content=Alfie%20Pet&utm_term=&show-search=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA9OiPBhCOARIsAI0y71AcN_2fBH72DAlnHF0nYEPR351hQ71At7SqmeMnj80e2aVXxQVRpLEaAmL2EALw_wcB
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh my word. Lucy the lioness.
Julie says
There should be fabric cones of shame available on Amazon. They tolerate those better.
Mavis Butterfield says
I had no idea they made fabric ones!!!
Tracey says
Poor pup. I hope she feels better soon. (Our good friends had a puggle also named Lucy)
Mel says
Poor Lucy. Our dog had to wear a cone 24/7 for two weeks after surgery. It ended up causing an ear infection AND a serious hot spot on her neck. It also prevented her going upstairs, so we had to sleep on the living room floor with her for those weeks.
You can ask the vet to be sure, but ours (eventually) said she didn’t have to wear it if we were supervising her. So, if you’re willing to stick close while she naps at least, that might be an option for her to take some breaks. Also, make sure to regularly scratch her neck and ears since she can’t reach.
Jenell says
Keep an eye on the fur around her neck I have your key that had to wear one for a while and it rubbed the fur raw:(. Poor Lucy
Christie says
Poor Lucy. Hoping for a speedy recovery. I agree that removing it while you can watch her will greatly help her get through this.
Nancy says
The fabric ones are much better than the hard plastic. We got our fabric cone from Amazon for our mini schnauzer. It did not cause any problems for our dog and is washable.
Julie says
I also ordered a soft one from Amazon. So much better than the hard plastic and my mini schnauzer doesn’t fight it. It’s washable and easy to take on and off.
Patty says
We used an inflatable collar for our pup….reminded me of a travel pillow. https://www.chewy.com/calm-paws-basic-inflatable-dog-collar/dp/243441
Hope Lucy is feeling better soon!
Diane says
I also have not seen the fabric ones. How cute! Seems to me it would be more comfortable. It also would store more easily for Miss Lucy’s emergencies kit.
Hope she feels better soon. I highly recommend extra snuggles and “special” high value treats!
Make sure you tell her, her fans are rooting for her 🙂
Bettina says
We used a fabric inflatable collar. We called it her “Victorian Ruff”. (get it?)
We could adjust it to fit her neck and still keep her comfortable.
Bettina says
We found it on Amazon.
Mrs. C. says
I’ve been through corneal ulcers with my dogs three times. Twice, one dog had to have surgery in each eye in order to save the eyes. It was awful. It is extremely painful for the dogs. Under supervision, I would take of the cone and rub their necks to give them a break, then put it back on. I had to go to a veterinary ophthalmologist.
Katie C says
Poor Lucy pup! I hope she heals up quickly. Give her a pet for us ❤️
Tamara says
Poor baby! And hugs for you Mavis! No advice on the cone/bonnet, but I hope Miss Lucy feels better soon!
Cindy says
Lucy we love you very much. Get better soon so we can see you out walking, beach hunts with mom and boat rides. Mavis keep updating us on house updates, sales on beach finds and the Etsy sales. Curious minds always want to know. You are very encouraging – positive person to follow. I have made 3 New Years resolutions. Thanks Mavis
Paula says
Yes, Order the blow up one with fabric. It’s what my doctor recommended. (Amazon)
Trish says
Sorry to hear about Lucy. Our dog is small and was bitten in her eye as a puppy from another dog. We too bought on Amazon a fabric inflatable donut. It’s comfortable and no scratching.
Hopefully, Lucy feels better, and it clears up.
Deborah says
Poor Miss Lucky. ☹️ We’ve never had a dog have to wear one, but have seen them on Dr. Pol. They look very uncomfortable. Give Miss Lucy a good scratch behind her ear for me.
We call them the Cone of Shame. From the movie UP.
CHRISTY ROSE says
We have dealt with more corneal ulcers than I care to count, our boxers are prone to them. We don’t even bother with the vet and go right to the veterinary ophthalmologist. He told us to NEVER modify or change the cone to anything else because the healing tissue is very fragile and the least little touch from a paw can totally undo all the healing.
That hard cone can cause a sore on her neck so putting a scarf or some kind of cloth under it is highly recommended.
Until she is healed or your eye guy says differently do not remove the cone even if you are watching her as it only takes a nanosecond for a paw to rub that eye and undo all the healing.
Kathy says
We ordered the blow up donut for our Adelaide and it was SO much better than the cone of shame!
Cathy says
I got a fabric cone from my vet, it is not blow up. It is washable, a lot more flexible than plastic and works well for my puggy.
Molly Jo says
agree with all above that say get her a blow up one. Off amazon or at a pet store. My poodle had a few surgeries and that one made a world of difference in her comfort.
Joan says
Our lab Abby, just finished 2 weeks with the collar, but to make life easier we bough one of the blow up collars, it kept her from reaching her surgery stitches on her elbows.
Cindy Miller says
Poor Pup-pup. I am glad you took her to the vet and they found out what it was. We have had to use the cone in the past and sorry I have no ideas for you. Get ready, another storm is a brewing.
Yvonne says
The blow up or fabric are easier on their necks.. just make sure she can’t reach around them to get to her eyes with those on… I have always had large dogs ( Bernese mt dogs) and I find those easier to work with. Also pain meds like your vet gave you will help keep her comfortable and snoozing more.. if you can supervise, I always take off for awhile during the day and then put back on before bed..poor pup..
GrannyB says
Keep the hard plastic cone on Lucy. Do NOT use an inflatable one. They are used to keep a dog from turning their neck to reach stitches. They will NOT provide protection for her eye!! The fabric cone is flexible and could actually rub on her eye. We are dog foster parents and have dogs having surgery and wearing a cone all the time. It’s easy to keep them from chewing on their stitches with the collar off, but you could be holding Lucy with her collar off and she could actually rub her eye on you just laying her head down. It’s not worth the chance!!
Get well sweet Lucy!!
LindaT says
Dogs are so precious. I hope the Puggle Princess is soon well with no problems. She has had her share of challenges! Did the vet seem to know what the cause was? There are stinging jellyfish on some beaches. We
Judi Y. says
We are so sorry Lucy! Cooper and I send our love.
Dee Patterson says
I know of people putting human jumpers on their dogs for injuries on their backs say to stop them scratching .
All I can think of is extra love, little scratches in the places she can’t reach , being close to her more ,
A little stroke several times a day , like a mini massage must help her feel better too .
And talking , the sound of your voice will help her I’m sure , it’s bound to make her feel more relaxed .
I once slept down on the floor next to a much loved cat just to get him through the night , he did pull through .
Wishing a speedy recovery all the way from Devon , England.
Cynthia Parido says
Poor Ms. Lucy, I’m allergic to dogs and seeing Lucy and her antics warm my dog-loving heart. My friend had a pug, Bailey, that had eye problems and and she finally succumbed from falling off the bed and short walls in the garden. Be sure to keep her on a level area.
Michelle says
Hello I know you feel bad about having her wear the E-collar but don’t, they adjust pretty well and it’s short term. Think of how bad it would be if she rubbed it and made the ulcer worse. Trust me as a vet tech we see it all the time! Then the healing process starts all over again and she’s in it that much longer! If it’s not heading in the right direction don’t be afraid to ask to be referred to an eye specialist. Good luck! ❤
Michelle says
Oh and the blow up collars don’t usually work in this case! They will rub with not only their paws but the floor and furniture! Feel better soon Lucy!!!
Leslie says
The hardest thing is when they try to eat and are always bumping those Elizabethan collars into things.
I have one that I had to buy for one dog — kept it and now have used it for 1 or 2 others. I wouldn’t throw yours away when you are done. As she ages, she may need it again. She’ll be OK.
Ellen Marshall says
All of my females have had to wear “the cone of shame” at one time or another- they have all been Labs or larger so getting through tighter places was always a challenge- we still have scratched up table legs because they couldn’t always judge how to get through the space without bumping into one side or the other.
I felt so bad for them but they managed and weren’t physiologically scarred by the experience in the end…
Hope little Lucy mends well and this clears up soon for her!
Laura says
My little gal Mona had the same thing. Was on the eye drops for a bit but it didn’t fix the problem. So the doggy opthomologist had to use the dremmel tool to scrape the surface of her eye. (Poor thing) After a few days on pain pills she was good as new! I hope Lucy doesn’t have to do this.
Crystal Beck says
I recommend the Optivisor for dogs as an alternative to cones for eye specific issues. I used one for my dog when she had to have a small growth removed from an eyelid. It has a bonus of not only being more comfortable for the dog to wear, but it also prevents them from rubbing their eyes on things, which a cone won’t prevent.
Amanda says
You can get ones you blow up from Amazon. My dogs always tolerated them better. In UK we call them ” buster” collars.