The "collar of shame" without shame

[Scoobie124]

My African Grey was going through a rough molt that became infected. She has been in a soft collar since June, has seen 3 vets and had a biopsy at the end of November. Long story but she hates that collar and will thrash about trying to get it off. I think one reason she hates it is because it blocks her vision. Does anyone have any ideas? The vets say she has to keep the collar on until she has fully healed.

 

[rheashard2]

My first CAG wore a similar for a toe injury. He had to wear it for nearly 5 weeks total. I arranged everything on one level. I was prepared to use cable ties to raise grate from bottom if he had balance problems. I removed hanging toys. I planned positioning around his preferred sleep spot. There was nothing there. That decreased his fear of bumping things during the night. I secured fewer toys to the side. I positioned toys his body length beak to tail tip apart. I used shallow food dish. It was a dish normally used for birdie bathing. He wouldn't use it for that purpose. Water wasn't a problem because I use a bottle. Out of cage time was limited. I didn't want him flying into things. I held him by his feet and encouraged wing flapping. He and my current CAG are trained for that. If he insisted on staying out, I put his harness on. He was a television bird. I made sure he could see it. Luckily his was a small portable (out of cage). I could position it higher and closer for his comfort viewing. My vet wanted me to remove collar for periods during the day. He had to be under strict observation or he re damaged his toe. Did your vet make that suggestion? I had to stay in office putting it on and removing it until I could do it perfectly. Good luck. I considered myself lucky that the collar was a one time event.

 

[Scoobie124]

We have her in a "medical cage" that has a setup similar to what you had. She sleeps in one corner. Her toys are in the far corner from there. We aren't allowed to remove her collar. She will flip on her back to put a toe inside the neck and pull apart the velcro, then she can't get her toe loose. She flaps trying to get upright and injures her wings again. My husband and her I can't think of anything more to do so we're hoping someone has a fresh prospective. One of the vets wrapped her wings to her body but we didn't have the heart to keep her like that for long.
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[rheashard2]

I wish could offer more. My CAG wasn't as energetic in attempting to remove his collar. His focus was on removing the vet wrap on his injured toe. He tried a variety of things to remove it. My fear was he would succeed and start the bleeding again. He did a couple of times. That's why it took 5 weeks instead of the original 10 days. I hope someone can help you. I can only think of my avian vets favorite treatment. DISTRACTION. Use a variety of easily destroyed toys.