Hello, I'm new here and at the very, very beginning.  My beloved Kendra goes for x-rays and a consult in 2 days because my primary vet is concerned about the possibility of bone cancer. So, no diagnosis yet.  But I have to admit it's a strong possibilty.  I find it easier to over-prepare than to worry, so I sprang into research mode and am already eternally grateful for this site and the e-book.  Thank you thank you!! 

And look what I found: The best alternative to an e-collar I've ever seen or heard of. Provisor's Nova Guard. http://www.bigddoghouse.com

I needed the maximum protection from licking because Kendra is flexible, and will be having (at minimum) a growth on one of her back paws removed, and has a long-standing obsessive compulsive problem with her tail...she's a "spinner", who spins in circles and bites her tail to bleeding when she catches it.  The tail (and paws) are particularly hard to protect, and the soft inflatable collars are not up to the job in a large flexible dog.  But I think the NovaGuard will really do it.

Best yet, when I slipped it over her head for the first time 10 minutes ago, she barely reacted.  She walked down the hallway steadily, and with only the slightest encouragement went out her dog door (with it on!) and then came back in through the dog door.  Eureka!

There's only one U.S. distributor that I could find at this time: Big Dee's Dog House.  There's a youtube video someone put up that shows it in action.  I'm relieved to get her acclimated to it before the surgery.  The growth on her back left leg is coming off, even if a front leg doesn't need to be amputated.  Primary vet said 10 days of cone at minimum just for the growth removal.  Those days just got a lot more bearable for both of us!

You all don't know me yet -- this is my first post -- so let me say, I have no affiliation with or financial interest in Big Dee's or Provisor.

Deb