It’s hard, both for us and our dogs, to be injured. It’s even worse having to wear “the cone of shame”.
It’s been called many things, from E-Collar, to pet cone, to the even more creative “Elizabethan collar,” but no nickname can make the lampshade-shaped protective neck piece anything other than pitiable. (And sometimes hilarious.) Sure, it helps keep your dog from following their understandable instinct to bite, lick or otherwise worry a healing, and sometimes itchy, wound. But oh, the indignity.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance is on a mission, however. They call cones the “Cone of Fame,” and are determined to show the cone doesn’t have to be a doggy nightmare. They’ve encouraged their customers to share photos of their furry family members wearing a Cone of Fame and what the occasion was. The result, of course, was absolutely adorable.
Oliver the Super Hero
How can you resist that Cone of Fame cape? Oliver’s visit to the vet for lupus ended up with surprising results. Pet parent Rachel says, “My regular vet couldn’t see him, but [the vet next door, Dr. Bellinghausen] squeezed us in so Oliver wouldn’t be uncomfortable over the weekend. He prescribed the needed Prednisone, but suggested a standard blood panel since Oliver was a new patient.”
That blood test, unfortunately, revealed hypercalcemia, meaning Oliver had a tumor somewhere. (We promise this story has a happy ending.) They were referred to an oncologist who discovered a mass on Oliver’s spleen and metastatic disease on his liver and pancreas.
The specialist sent Oliver’s tumor to Harvard to be analyzed with what’s called an Enlight Assay: “by looking at the genetics of his tumor, the oncologist recommended a special course of oral chemotherapy designed especially for Oliver’s type of cancer. At our last appointment, we learned that the metastatic disease in Oliver’s pancreas and liver is gone, the mass in his spleen hasn’t grown, and the lymph nodes at the site of his original anal gland tumor are totally clear!”
Healthy Paws reports that Rachel has saved $8,905 in vet bills so far, and Oliver’s newfound health? Priceless. (Read more about Oliver here).
Chloe the Pawsome
This adorable little Yorkshire Terrier gal working her Cone of Fame magic is Chloe. Chloe ended up with a serious paw infection from rock salt on an icy sidewalk in January.
“It was a long, painful healing process but she was a champ!” says pet parent Kimberly. Chloe had redness and swelling on her paw before they headed to the vet, where the diagnosis was an infection that needed a little TLC, and of course, antibiotics. Chloe ended up wearing booties, socks, and the cone to prevent her from licking her paws.
After 4 weeks, Chloe’s paw had healed. “She recovered fully and continues to beg for cheese and cuddle with us in bed!”
Healthy Paws reports that Kimberly was reimbursed $88 after meeting her annual deductible.
Arlo the Good Boy
Stoic – and possibly able to transmit cable channels on his Cone of Fame – two-year-old Arlo had knee surgery (TPLO) recently and has a long recovery period in front of him.
Pet parent Ryan explains, “Arlo loves to be outside with the Dalmatians that live across the street, so we don’t know if he was injured in an accident alone, or while his friends were visiting.” Ryan took Arlo to see his vet after he’d started limping, and got x-rays, anti-inflammatories, and a referral to an orthopedic specialist.
Unfortunately, Arlo eventually needed surgery but happily is now healing well. “Arlo is such a good dog. We had our 8-week post-surgery checkup and his x-rays showed great progress. He’ll continue to walk on a leash for another month as we gradually increase his activity, although he definitely wants to be off-leash so he can explore and catch some rays!”
Healthy Paws reports that Arlo’s family was reimbursed $2,970.
Bear the Loving comforting Cody the Recovering
Pet parent Nancy snapped this adorable pic of her two dogs snuggling. “Here, Bear comforts Cody after Cody’s neutering procedure.”
Healthy Paws reports that they don’t cover spay/neuter procedures, but shared this sweet picture anyway. (We don’t blame them!)
Maxx the Brave gets solidarity
Carol’s poor dog Maxx was hit by a car which lead to 19 separate claims over two months, as well as two cases of bloat, some ear infections, and shoulder surgery. Maxx had a hard road ahead of him, but at least he looks dapper in the dark blue soft cone.
“He’s a trainwreck, I am honestly glad you still cover him!” says Carol. (Note: Healthy Paws says they never drop pets or decrease coverage due to age or claim submission.) Thankfully Maxx is now doing well, and hopefully has many cone-free years ahead of him.
Healthy Paws reports that over the course of Maxx’s lifetime, his family has been reimbursed $8,772 in vet bills, and are ecstatic that Maxx is doing well.
Brave Hearted Lion
“My brave little lion cub sported this soft collar after getting neutered!” says pet parent Kara.
Again, spay/neuter is not covered by Healthy Paws, but we both love this little lion cub rocking his jungle-perfect soft collar.
Dixie Mae the Donut Queen
Is that a donut, or are we just hungry? With 22 claims for a growth, Dixie Mae has been through some tough times.
The 7-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier has a history of significant skin issues. “A couple of months ago, I noticed a small bump on her backside to the right of her tailbone. A couple of weeks after noticing it, it seemed to be larger,” says pet parent Susan. Based on the location of the growth, it was determined that the bump had to go.
The day before the procedure, Susan noticed three other small bumps that were also removed and were later found to be malignant. Since then, Dixie has had many growths removed from all over her body, including her paws, resulting in expensive vet bills.
“My goal is always to make her life as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Today, she is back to her fun puppy like self and now that spring has finally arrived in Chicago, we are out running again!” We’re glad to hear it, Dixie May.
Healthy Paws reports that Susan saved $9,577 in vet bills for Dixie Mae.
Koru Bear the Bright
While it may just be the sun reflecting off his cone, Koru Bear certainly has a dazzling, bright smile.
Pet parent Rosalyn says, “Here’s Koru Bear smiling and [being very] dapper wearing a cone after his neuter surgery. He’s just very happy to be out and loving the sunshine!”
While spay/neuter isn’t covered by Healthy Paws, aren’t you glad they still shared this shiny, joyful guy?
Having an injured dog is never fun, but it’s now clear the cone doesn’t have to be shameful. One of the best things about dogs is how they can be joyful even when things are at their worst. Well, at least these 8 adorable guys and gals are. Thanks to Healthy Paws for sharing the love!
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