Elizabethan collar facts for kids
An Elizabethan collar, also called an e-collar, lampshade, or cone of shame, is a special piece of equipment used by vets. It helps stop animals from licking or biting their bodies, and from scratching or touching their heads with their feet.
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What is an Elizabethan Collar?
Vets place these collars around an injured animal's neck. This stops the animal from biting or licking the injured part of its body. For example, if a dog has a cut, it might need special medicine on it. The dog could try to lick off the medicine, which might make it sick.
Animals that have had surgery might try to pull out their stitches. An animal with a broken leg might try to bite its cast and pull it off. If the animal wears an Elizabethan collar, it cannot do these things. This helps them heal safely.
Different Kinds of Collars
Some pet owners say their pets find it hard to eat, drink, or play while wearing a traditional Elizabethan collar. Because of this, vets sometimes use other types of collars.
- Soft fabric collars: These are made of cloth and are more flexible.
- Inflatable collars: These look like a soft, inner-tube-shaped cushion around the neck.
- Neck brace collars: These collars act more like a neck brace, stopping the animal from moving its head too much.
Where Did the Name Come From?
Elizabethan collars are named after Elizabethan ruffs. These were stiff, starched collars that people wore in England during the 1500s. They looked very similar to the collars we use for pets today.
Today, most Elizabethan collars are made from plastic. However, in the 1800s, they were sometimes made from wood or leather.
Images for kids
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An Australian Kelpie wearing a plastic Elizabethan collar to help an eye infection heal.
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A cat wearing a soft fabric collar.
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A puppy wearing an inflatable collar while recovering from spaying.
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Irritated skin due to a hot spot.
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See also
In Spanish: Cuello isabelino para niños
