GREYHOUND CARE: The Many Uses of a Muzzle
Muzzles: An Alternative to the
Dreaded E-Collar
We've all seen muzzles used when someone is examining a dog or when multiple dogs are running together; however, a muzzle can often also be used in place of an Elizabethan collar when a Greyhound has an injury. Plastic, cone-shaped Elizabethan collars, known as E-collars, are used to keep a dog from licking a sore or wound. However, they are awkward, uncomfortable. If they are not fit properly, they can keep a dog from drinking needed water and make it difficult for the dog to lie down.
Track muzzles can provide a more comfortable alternative. Unlike other muzzles, track muzzles allow the dog to open its mouth, breathe freely, and even eat or drink. Ex-racing Greyhounds are familiar with this type of muzzle, and a little tape on the front of the muzzle to keep the tongue from reaching out to lick a wound can turn this muzzle into a more comfortable alternative to the E-collar.
Preparing the muzzle
The openings in the track muzzle are wide enough for the dog to stick its tongue through and lick the wound. To keep the dog from licking, place wide mailing tape or duct tape over the section of the muzzle immediately in front of the mouth.
First, place tape on the inside facing out to keep the dog's nose from sticking to the tape; then place tape on the outside facing in to keep the inner tape from sticking to everything else.
You do not need to cover the entire muzzle. Covering just the oblong or diamond-shaped area in front is enough. This keeps the dog from licking while still allowing the dog to dip into a water dish and drink. Most Greyhounds figure this out quite quickly. It’s a little sloppy, but it is effective in allowing the dog to drink and thus keep hydrated.
We've all seen muzzles used when someone is examining a dog or when multiple dogs are running together; however, a muzzle can often also be used in place of an Elizabethan collar when a Greyhound has an injury. Plastic, cone-shaped Elizabethan collars, known as E-collars, are used to keep a dog from licking a sore or wound. However, they are awkward, uncomfortable. If they are not fit properly, they can keep a dog from drinking needed water and make it difficult for the dog to lie down.
Track muzzles can provide a more comfortable alternative. Unlike other muzzles, track muzzles allow the dog to open its mouth, breathe freely, and even eat or drink. Ex-racing Greyhounds are familiar with this type of muzzle, and a little tape on the front of the muzzle to keep the tongue from reaching out to lick a wound can turn this muzzle into a more comfortable alternative to the E-collar.
Preparing the muzzle
The openings in the track muzzle are wide enough for the dog to stick its tongue through and lick the wound. To keep the dog from licking, place wide mailing tape or duct tape over the section of the muzzle immediately in front of the mouth.
First, place tape on the inside facing out to keep the dog's nose from sticking to the tape; then place tape on the outside facing in to keep the inner tape from sticking to everything else.
You do not need to cover the entire muzzle. Covering just the oblong or diamond-shaped area in front is enough. This keeps the dog from licking while still allowing the dog to dip into a water dish and drink. Most Greyhounds figure this out quite quickly. It’s a little sloppy, but it is effective in allowing the dog to drink and thus keep hydrated.
Putting on the muzzle
1) Hold the muzzle with nose guard on top.
2) Aim the dog's nose upward through the hole that is between the strap that goes under the chin and the one that goes over the ears.
3) Slip the rounded part of the top strap over the dog's ears
Make sure the muzzle is properly fit and that there are no breaks or rough places on the muzzle or the tape to cause sores. The muzzle should be loose enough to not rub on the front of the dog's nostrils but not so loose that the dog could get a foot caught in it or pull it off.
Make the muzzle a positive experience. I often drop a treat into the muzzle while I’m putting it on so that the dog gets rewarded for the experience.
Cautions
1) Dirty muzzle: IMPORTANT--The tape will get dirty and smelly from the dog's saliva and should be changed at least every two or three days. This is especially important given the dog's well-developed sense of smell (not to mention germs).
2) Dehydration: Make sure that the dog does figure out that he can drink.
3) Escape: Monitor the dog when you first put on the muzzle to make sure that he cannot pull off the muzzle. Most Greyhounds are very comfortable with the muzzle, but a few will try…and succeed at getting it off. Usually this means that the muzzle is too loose.
4) Track muzzle only: Again, use a track-style muzzle only; other muzzles are too restrictive for breathing as well as for comfort.
Used carefully and wisely, the track muzzle with tape on the front provides a good alternative to the E-collar, especially for ex-racing Greyhounds.
by Bonnie Jeffers
1) Hold the muzzle with nose guard on top.
2) Aim the dog's nose upward through the hole that is between the strap that goes under the chin and the one that goes over the ears.
3) Slip the rounded part of the top strap over the dog's ears
Make sure the muzzle is properly fit and that there are no breaks or rough places on the muzzle or the tape to cause sores. The muzzle should be loose enough to not rub on the front of the dog's nostrils but not so loose that the dog could get a foot caught in it or pull it off.
Make the muzzle a positive experience. I often drop a treat into the muzzle while I’m putting it on so that the dog gets rewarded for the experience.
Cautions
1) Dirty muzzle: IMPORTANT--The tape will get dirty and smelly from the dog's saliva and should be changed at least every two or three days. This is especially important given the dog's well-developed sense of smell (not to mention germs).
2) Dehydration: Make sure that the dog does figure out that he can drink.
3) Escape: Monitor the dog when you first put on the muzzle to make sure that he cannot pull off the muzzle. Most Greyhounds are very comfortable with the muzzle, but a few will try…and succeed at getting it off. Usually this means that the muzzle is too loose.
4) Track muzzle only: Again, use a track-style muzzle only; other muzzles are too restrictive for breathing as well as for comfort.
Used carefully and wisely, the track muzzle with tape on the front provides a good alternative to the E-collar, especially for ex-racing Greyhounds.
by Bonnie Jeffers
This section includes short articles on topics on how to care for your greyhound. Many of the articles came from prior newsletters or were written to address problems or as answer specific questions as they arose. This section will be added to over time as issues come up and/or if new information becomes available. If you have a topic you would like addressed in this section contact us.
Basic Care Tips
Loud Noises
Dog Park Dangers
Disaster Preparedness
|
Vaccinations
Nail Trimming
Traveling with Greys
When to Say Goodbye
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Hot Weather Danger
Fleas, Ticks & Worms
The Multi Dog Family
|
First Aid Kit
Many uses of muzzles
Gardens & Greys
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