The Best Surgical Suit for Neutered Dogs
Sadly, most dogs will have at least one major surgery in their lives, with spaying and neutering being the most common surgeries. For many years, vets have tried to aid the recovery process with “The Cone of Shame”. No more! We are no longer in the dark ages of Elizabethan cones! Many dog owners now choose to use surgical suits for post surgery protection.
Though you may be wondering, what is a surgical suit? Do they really work? And how can I know if I’m getting a quality product that will really help my dog feel better?
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute medical advice. Always follow the guidance of a professional veterinarian.
Key Takeaways
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Dog surgical recovery suits protect wounds more comfortably than cones by preventing overgrooming and protecting surgery sites, while still allowing for a full range of motion.
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Effective surgical suits should fit properly, use breathable fabric, and allow your dog to go to the bathroom freely, though pet owners must still monitor wounds and avoid low-quality products
Table of Contents
What a Dog Recovery Suit Does for Your Dog
A dog recovery suit, or a dog surgery suit, is a form-fitting onesie that covers most of your dog’s body while still allowing them to go potty.
One of the biggest risks to dog surgery is that dogs cannot understand the need to leave wounds alone. They may pull out stitches or lick the affected area around the surgery site, which slows surgery recovery and increases the risk of infection and bleeding.
Many vets recommend a cone-collar to stop your dog from nipping and licking their wounds, but these can be uncomfortable. They can also make eating and sleeping more difficult to do, both of which are vital for healing, and can increase anxiety in your dog.
The Benefits of a Surgical Recovery Suit
The benefits of dog surgical recovery suits are similar to other methods, such as a cone, but they have a few extra benefits as well.
Prevents Infections
Like cones, surgery recovery suits prevent your dog from being able to reach their sutures, which stops them from licking or ripping them out.
However, surgical suits have the added benefit for pet owners in that they prevent the surgical site from being scratched on other dirty surfaces, like bedding or grass. This can be especially important for female dogs, as spaying surgery wounds are often higher on the body and easier for your dog to reach or drag against surfaces. They also prevent any creams or ointments from being rubbed or licked off.
Regulates Temperature
A dog that's undergone surgery may have lost some blood, had their fur shaved, or may have a big wound that's losing heat. A surgical suit covers your dog's body and helps keep them warm without risking your blankets and bedding getting bloodied or covered in medicine.
Allows for Ease of Movement
Unlike some alternative methods, a surgical suit relieves stress by allowing your dog to move freely. Cones can bump into chairs and other objects, block your dog’s vision, make lying down uncomfortable, and can make getting down to their food bowls to eat and drink difficult.
Since a surgery suit doesn’t go around their neck, only fitting snug to the body, your dog should still be able to move around easily.
Durable
Simple plastic cones are prone to breaking. It's easy to smash them against objects, and a smart dog might be able to wiggle loose without much problem. Meanwhile, a surgical suit fits firmly around the body and legs, making it hard to wiggle loose. It can also be cleaned and reused for any future medical issues.
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Soothing
There is strong evidence to suggest that compression wraps can help dogs in stressful situations[1]. The snug fit of most dog surgery recovery suits can provide the swaddling effect. This can reduce heart rate and help sick dogs to feel more at ease.
Good for More Than Just Surgery
Aside from guarding surgery sites, a breathable surgery suit can also help promote healing in other skin conditions, such as hot spots or eczema. The suit is not only good for preventing dogs from overgrooming their affected skin or licking off the ointment, but also protects them from hazards in the environment, such as dermatological allergens, dirt, and sunburn.
Certain suits can also offer specialized criteria, such as helping a pup with incontinence issues or protecting female dogs in heat.
Potential Downsides to Surgical Suits
While the positives outweigh the negatives, there are certain downsides to surgical suits that you should be aware of.
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Cost. Unlike easily replaceable e-cones, surgical suits are more expensive. While the suit can be washed and reused, sizing is important, which makes it difficult to swap between dogs. You may also need a second suit for when the first one is being washed and dried.
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Cheap ones are ineffective. Cheap surgical suits may be too thin or poorly fitted. This could mean your dog chews through the thin fabric or pulls it aside to reach. Make sure to do careful research before buying.
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Ignoring symptoms. Since the wound is not easily visible under a surgical gown, an owner may not notice signs of infection, bleeding, or other complications promptly. Always make sure to inspect the wound regularly and thoroughly.
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Not useful for facial wounds. Wounds on the face, nose, eyes and tail cannot be covered by a surgical suit.
Qualities of a Good Surgical Suit
Once you’ve decided that a surgical suit is a good fit for your dog's medical needs, it can be overwhelming trying to research what the best recovery suit is for your needs. Here are some things to consider.
Size and Fit
The size and fit depend on the nature of the injury, though in most cases you will want the most coverage. Some suits are full-body, while others focus on the abdomen and leave more room for mobility.
A proper fit is critical when choosing a surgical suit. This means you will want stretchy fabric that won't be too tight on the wound. A suit with adjustable straps is also a good idea to make sure that the suit sits just right. This can be especially important for smaller dogs.
It's highly recommended that you get some good measurements of your dog before buying, so that you can use the size chart to find a surgical suit that works best for you.
Mobility and Hygiene
While a surgical suit should be snug, it should never hamper your dog’s ability to move or their ability to go for bathroom breaks. Many suits have an opening on the back for the purpose of potty breaks, but you should make doubly sure that it's not going to get in the way.
Some suits offer a diaper-like function to help with incontinence or bedridden dogs, but these can be expensive and should be carefully researched before purchase.
Fabric
The best surgical suit should be made of breathable and stretchy fabric, while still being too thick to chew through. This often means cotton/elastane blends, bamboo, or Lycra fabrics.
This isn’t just about discomfort or keeping your dog cool; a breathable fabric is vital for keeping humidity away from the surgical site, which can cause infection to develop and irritate and worsen skin conditions like rashes or eczema.
Ideally, the fabric should also be soft, so your dog can rest comfortably while they're recovering. This also means avoiding hard zippers or buttons.
Washability
Your surgical suit is probably going to get dirty at some point. Choosing one that is easy to wash and dry can help you get it back on your pup as soon as possible and cut down on your workload.
Ease of Use
If your dog is in pain already, you don’t want to spend a lot of time fumbling around with buttons and tabs. There are a number of designs on the market, and while the suit should be secure and adjustable, try to avoid a suit with a lot of zippers, buttons, or pockets that are going to have you twisting your dog like a pretzel to fit them in.
Conclusion
A high-quality surgical recovery suit can make the healing process far more stress-free for both dogs and their owners. By protecting wounds from contact and the elements, reducing irritation, and allowing your dog to move and rest comfortably, these suits are a practical alternative to e-cones.
A good surgery suit should be made of quality, breathable material and should fit your dog well without getting in the way of their ability to rest, move, or go to the bathroom. Ideally, this means looking for a suit with adjustable straps and soft material.
A bad suit can be dangerous, so make sure to carefully check reviews before buying any product on the market.
If you are interested in checking out some well-reviewed, comfortable, and stylish options for dog surgical suits, consider checking out Sparkpaws’ Dog Surgery Recovery Suit Collection.
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FAQ
Do Recovery Suits Work for Neutered Dogs?
Yes, recovery suits are a practical alternative to cones for most surgery wounds, including incisions made during neuter and spay surgeries.
What is Better, a Cone or Recovery Suit?
In general, a recovery suit is better for most surgical wounds, as they provide better coverage. However, if the wound is on the face, paws, or tail, then an e-cone may still be necessary.
Do Vets Recommend Surgery Suits?
Yes, most vets agree that a high-quality surgery suit is a good way to prevent overgrooming, soiling bandages, and incision infections. However, wounds should still be inspected regularly for signs of infection or damage.
Can Dogs Still Pee with a Recovery Suit?
Yes, most surgery suits on the market come with special openings to make sure your dog can still use the bathroom. If they are struggling to do so cleanly then you may have the wrong size.
Ext Links
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[2] https://animalworksvets.com.