Post Surgery Alternative to e-collar for B&G Macaw

cherfor · Jul 18, 2019

Hello, I’m looking for an alternative to an e-collar for my Blue and Gold Macaw who is to have surgery.

He’s currently bandaged over his folded wing and will have surgery and be in a bandage for 8 to 12 weeks. He has a stiff plastic flatter type of collar now and is constantly chewing at it, of course.

I’ve looked at the cloth and/or leather neck tube type collars and wonder how effective they would be for a B&G? I know they restrict neck movement, but not sure how much. Do these collars prevent the bird from reaching around to their wings?

Any input anyone has with different types of e-collars is appreciated.
:blue1:

SailBoat · Jul 18, 2019

Have used a knitted "e-collar" like product with some success with our Amazons over the years. Have never used the tube style, so have no experience to pass on regarding that product.

riddick07 · Jul 18, 2019

Tube collars are effective. Used them on a hybrid macaw before. They keep the bird from bending the neck and touching their feathers. Legs are a little more tricky since the inspired can get to their legs haha.

You can make your own if you just pick up some foam tubing type at a hardware store and then you can bandage it up with vet wrap and some surgical tape. You can fit it to size better that way and not spend a stupid amount of money buying from someone else.

Big fleece type collars are effective but they have to be oversized to really keep them off every part of the body. And you will spend like 100 on something they will destroy eventually.

cherfor · Jul 18, 2019

Sailboat do you mean knitted as in with knitting needles?

SailBoat said:
Have used a knitted "e-collar" like product with some success with our Amazons over the years. Have never used the tube style, so have no experience to pass on regarding that product.

cherfor · Jul 18, 2019

Thanks Riddick. If I google foam tubing there are a gazillon types. Do you know what type you used?
He will have a fully bandaged wing so I guess it will be trial and error to see how far he can reach!

riddick07 said:
Tube collars are effective. Used them on a hybrid macaw before. They keep the bird from bending the neck and touching their feathers. Legs are a little more tricky since the inspired can get to their legs haha.

You can make your own if you just pick up some foam tubing type at a hardware store and then you can bandage it up with vet wrap and some surgical tape. You can fit it to size better that way and not spend a stupid amount of money buying from someone else.

Big fleece type collars are effective but they have to be oversized to really keep them off every part of the body. And you will spend like 100 on something they will destroy eventually.

SailBoat · Jul 18, 2019

cherfor said:
Sailboat do you mean knitted as in with knitting needles?

SailBoat said:

Have used a knitted "e-collar" like product with some success with our Amazons over the years. Have never used the tube style, so have no experience to pass on regarding that product.

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Yes. Becoming a rare ability in today's World.

riddick07 · Jul 18, 2019

I honestly can’t remember what size it was. Maybe measure his neck and take a guess from there. Buy a few sizes to experiment a little!

Scott · Jul 19, 2019

Welcome to you and your macaw! Not familiar with workable alternatives, hope you find an effective substitute for the dreaded collar.

bocabill · Feb 23, 2024

This is what you need.

Post Surgery Alternative to e-collar for B&G Macaw

cherfor

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cherfor

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