I have always hated Elizabethan collars. The dogs are uncomfortable in them....they can't turn around in a crate or lay down comfortably with the "cone" surrounding their head. I will describe what we use for most of our dogs that have gone through surgery and are not allowed to bother the incision. Thanks to Dr. O. for this suggestion years ago.
Borax just had a tumor taken off his rectum. With the external stitches it is imperative that he doesn't chew or lick this site. So, this is what we do.
FIRST: Take a long tea towel
SECOND: take a thick layer of newspaper and fold it into the middle of the towel (it should be fairly thick and stiff)
THIRD: Using a heavy duty strapping tape (or duct tape which is my favorite and nearly indestructable) tape the seam of the towel with the newspaper firmly inside.
LAST: Wrap it firmly around the dogs neck and secure the towel with duct tape. (do not tape to the dogs fur). The towel should be around the dogs neck tightly so they can't slip it over their heads, but not too tight that it restricts their breathing or their feeding or drinking.
I take off their collars but you can certainly put on one over the towel set up. Now, Borax still has a lot of freedom yet can't move his head all the way to his back end to lick!
It is wonderful having a traveling vet here in the Fairbanks area. Minor surgeries, spays and neuters, shots, check-ups etc. can all be done right out of your house! I think it is great for the dogs. They are in a familiar spot, their recovery time seems a lot shorter and there isn't the hub bub of a vet office for the very shy and insecure dog to get upset about. Of course I love the vets that I do go to, they are all wonderful and caring doctors that are knowledgeable about a lot of my dogs. But dogs like Jazz (above) who had a little tumor on his eyelid, it was just nice to have that done at home. He recovers in the house and I don't have to drive him anywhere! Here he is laying on my kitchen counter (notice the extension behind him with the cutting board), head propped up to the perfect level, being shaved for the tumor removal. Everything went smoothly and just a day later he is acting like nothing happened.
We have had many dogs spayed or neutered on the counter, health certificates given, feet checked out, wounds cleaned and toenails glued back in. It does tend to make us keep that counter CLEAN!! Both before and after surgeries.
We are grateful for our traveling vet.