About Hilary Schiavone-Brensinger Expertise I am very knowledgable in small animal health, care, and behavior. I have five cats, three ferrets, two birds, and a dog of my own, so I have a very broad spectrum in different domesticated species. I am also very knowledgable in disease, sickness, and ailments that are common among our pets, and also treatments. I am an extreme animal lover and am also a part of an animal rescue organization.
Experience I have been a veterinary technician for the past four years at both private and emergency practices. I belong to an animal rescue organization, and also am owned by alot of animals in my home! I can also answer any questions relating to orphaned wild baby birds. I am currently studying Veterinary Medicine.
Follow-Ups to Answer from Expert Hilary Schiavone-Brensinger
Dr. Dave wrote at 2006-07-15 15:11:56
These collars can cause irritation if worn too tightly, or left on for extended periods. It is incorrect, however, to refer to these sores as burns. A burn is caused by heat, and there is no heat generated by the static shock, even on the highest settings. Obviously anything rubbing against a person's or dog's skin will eventually cause a rash that will get worse the longer it is left untreated.
Chris wrote at 2006-12-07 20:38:13
I would agree with Hilary's statement of the expertise of Veterinarians but the truth is, a 6 or 9 volt battery in a collar is not enough voltage to cause burns in skin tissue. Leaving a containment collar (or any collar) on your pet that is too tight and for too long will cause the tissue under the collar to deteriorate (known as pressure necrosis). You need to make sure the collar is adjusted properly, leave the collar on for only 8 hours at a time, check your pet's neck daily for redness or sores, and clean your pet's neck and the collar on a regular basis.
Kristen Cabe - AllExperts Expert wrote at 2007-07-11 14:48:21
Actually, Hilary, your answer is incorrect. I realize this is an old question and answer, but I wanted to reply since your response was not only biased against electric collars, but gave incorrect information.
Pressure necrosis is caused by the pressure of the two probes on an electric collar, in the same place on a dog's neck, when worn for extended periods of time. It is NOT a result of the collar burning the dog. These collars emit a static shock, similar to what you feel when you get out of your car and are shocked when you touch the door to shut it. It's enough to get your attention, but it does not cause pain, or damage, or burns.
If your dog is going to be wearing an electric collar for longer than a few hours at a time, you should periodically move it to a different spot on his neck to prevent pressure necrosis.
sandra wrote at 2008-03-09 22:44:18
Hilary,
I am sorry you are so mis-informed and leading others with your false information. This IS Pressure Necrosis, NOT burns, there is no heat generated in these collar. How often have you burned yourself when you drag your feet on the carpet and touch something. That is a static correction, like the kind we are talking about. People - please do your research and ask a qualified veterinarian that has dealt with these collars!
Sandra
al wrote at 2008-03-09 22:52:04
IF these were really electrical "burns", then my dog would never have gotten them with his collar set on "tone-only" - no electrical stimulation. I left the colllar on for a couple weeks and he had been playing with other dogs in the sand. The sand/dirt and constant pressure caused the necrosis and it healed up in a few days. Now he wears it at when out on patrol and has neck is cleaned weekly as suggested. PLEASE DON'T SPREAD FALSE INFORMATION! don't we have enough ugly fences - the invisible fences work!
doglife wrote at 2008-03-10 01:36:25
Hilary, you ignorant person. Get your facts straight! You should not continue to misinform pet owners. These containment systems are the right choice and totally safe for the vast majority of pets and owners!
Peter H. Eeg DVM wrote at 2008-05-01 17:44:38
Dear Sirs,
In actuality the company is correct in this case. I have researched this common misconception and discovered that the milliampere that are produced by electronic pet containment receivers are far too low to cause cellular fluid heating, cell membrane destabilization, cellular damage or cell death.
The inflammatory condition that has been noted is due in fact to contact trauma to the dermis resulting in reduced blood flow to the tissue and initiation of secondary bacterial dermatitis further inflaming the dermis. If allowed to progress unchecked ulceration, denaturization and tissue necrosis will be the eventual n-stage result. All collars; nylon, leather, chain or other should be routinely checked for any signs of damage to the hair and skin.
Peter H. Eeg DVM
David wrote at 2008-07-14 19:28:06
I hope you are studying veterinary medicine somewhere reputable. I would also do some research on pet containment fences before I answered questions incorrectly. The static shock correction that comes from a computer collar is only a 3 to 6 volts. The electrical stimulation that comes from the common "Ab stimulators" you see on T.V. or the TENSunits used for human muscle physical therapy are much stronger than this and they activate for much longer periods of time. It is virtually impossible for any pet fence collar to cause a burn. The correct answer is, pressure necrosis. This is similar to a bed sore and is caused by constant pressure on tissue over time, causing damage and death to the surrounding cells. This is also similar to a collar being embedded in a dogs neck from being too tight for too long. For more information on embedded collars and pressure necrosis, contact your local veterinarian.
Todd Music wrote at 2008-08-08 23:23:27
These are not burns. They are produced by leaving the collar on for extended periods of time. The syndrome is called pressure necrosis, similar to a bed sore. The electronics can not elevate temperature.
Pete wrote at 2008-09-12 02:34:48
Although your vet may be correct that they are in fact burns. Pressure necrosis typically results from leaving the collar on for an extended period of time OR improperly fitting the shock collar around the dogs neck (too tight). Essentially, causing the blood supply of that area to be restricted. Pressure necrosis can cause infection, hairloss or alopecia, tenderness, erythema, swelling, exudation, and crusting. If it is in fact pressure necrosis repeated cleanings would be advisable.
Opie wrote at 2008-10-30 17:06:52
The previous answer is absolutely incorrect, and, if written by a vet, it was from a vet that did not study long and hard for their license. NO, your dog is not burned. There is NO electricity in those collars. They run on batteries. Therefore, they emit a STATIC rather than electric correction. It is scientifically impossible for a 3 or 6 or 9 volt battery to "burn" anything. This is simple and common knowledge.
