A 10-year-old dog Golden Retriever named Zep who has been with his family since he was a pup in Australia, wears the cone of shame. He wasn’t wearing it because of a punishment, but because he can get sick easily. Zep has been diagnosed with cancer when he was three years old and the disease weakened his immune system, making him vulnerable to infection if he bites, licks or scratches himself.

“He has had to deal with a lot in his life, the poor boy. He gets sick quite easily. The most common thing he gets is dog dermatitis. He will be fine one minute and covered the next. He doesn't really get super bummed about wearing the cone, as he is kind of used to it,” said Amber Gerick owner of Zep.

Unlike other dogs, Zep managed to cope with the cone of shame and does not resist when he had to wear it again. As a reward and encouragement to Zep, Gerick got him a …show more content…
The cone not only protects their wounds from being chewed or licked, the device also protects your pet from ingesting topical medications. According to Pet MD, many pet medications can cause adverse effects if your pet absorbs them through the mouth. The medication will go straight to their gastrointestinal tract that can trigger vomiting and diarrhea. Antibiotics can also cause GI tract issues because the active ingredients disrupt your pet’s gut. Both steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can increase the risk of stomach ulcers if ingested by your pet. The most terrifying of all side effects is called anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction.

It seems easy to have your dog wear a cone of shame, but the truth is some dogs can be very difficult and will even resist you from donning the device on their head. Below are some tips you can do to help your dog during their cone time:

- Guide them to navigate the area while wearing the cone. For a few days, your dog will not be able to go around the house by themselves. Help them adjust and adapt with the cone around their