Heat lamps

RE: Heat lamps

Lindsey Edwards — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 18:34:22 GMT

I think burtons do them with holders, hooks etc. I like them to increase local ambient temperature also

RE: Heat lamps

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 16:01:09 GMT

Think the cover was on, and it was under a vet bed. Was an ex-lap of some sort I think.

RE: Heat lamps

Rob Loxley — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 15:42:04 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]Don't know the full details, like length of surgery or position of heatpad etc[/quote]

With any heatpad you need some insulation from direct contact - e.g the snugglesafe covers - and be very careful if the animal gets wet (e.g. caesar) as thermal insulation goes down and you are at more risk of burns.

We use low powered electric heat pads on op tables and snugglesafes in kennels, alongside the bubblewrap/ central heating/ turn the aircon off/ etc.

RE: Heat lamps

Anthony Dennison — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 09:30:03 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

Regarding heat pads, after one unpleasant episode with an electric heat mat (solid type) where we very nearly cooked a cat (you LITERALLY could have fried an egg on it - I assume the internal thermostat broke) we changed to these: http://www.snugglesafe.co.uk/shop/snugglesafe-pet-heatpads/ They are brilliant - too hard to chew (rabbits!!) easy to heat in microwave, no hot spots and they stay warm for ages.

[/quote]

We had snugglesafe heatpads too, until some how, for some reason, a dog a large 3rd degree burn on it's back after being in dorsal recumbency for an op. Don't know the full details, like length of surgery or position of heatpad etc, but we just use thermostatically controlled heatpads now.

And baby socks on the animals feet.

RE: Heat lamps

Catriona MacIntyre — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 22:41:05 GMT

We have recently invested in thermoblocker mattresses ans so far really like them.

We also use Snugglesafe pads, fleece blankets, bubble wrap and foil blankets when appropriate. There is an electric heat pad in the practice, but I hate it and will soon bin it when the staff are not looking

RE: Heat lamps

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 22:18:03 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]when used in the types of holders in which they are generally used[/quote]

..just in case anyone out there is using these.....you should only use ceramic holders with these bulbs...never 'normal' plastic ones...

[/quote]

Absolutely. But even in the "correct" ceramic fittings, I thought them an electrical hazard as well as a fire hazard.

Used them for years but never regretted abandoning them.

RE: Heat lamps

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:38:16 GMT

We use them in the bigger kennels - they are sat on a roof grid. Never leave them on, but good for recovery. The extra light is beneficial.

I was tempted to get a couple of these:

http://imseuro.co.uk/veterinary/lamp-holder.html

RE: Heat lamps

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:16:02 GMT

Very true!

RE: Heat lamps

Charlotte Marshall — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:14:28 GMT

Yep we've got these. Mind you it is perfectly possible to get these very hot as well. I never heat them for as long as they recommend.

RE: Heat lamps

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:11:03 GMT

RE: Heat lamps

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:05:52 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]when used in the types of holders in which they are generally used[/quote]

..just in case anyone out there is using these.....you should only use ceramic holders with these bulbs...never 'normal' plastic ones...

RE: Heat lamps

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 19:03:25 GMT

Ah - ok. I was wondering how you got them (and their wires) far enough away from the patient!

RE: Heat lamps

Charlotte Marshall — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:59:16 GMT

No, but when using the lamps they are set up with the kennel that height so the lamp is not too close to the animal. (The kennels have a removable piece so it can be a single tall kennel or two shorter ones). I hadn't realised that no one was using them anymore. We've had them for years. I suppose we may have to look at electric heat mats. We have some of the microwaveable heat pads.

RE: Heat lamps

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:54:54 GMT

I haven't ever seen anyone use heat lamps for dogs and cats. Are these walk-in kennels?

RE: Heat lamps

Charlotte Marshall — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:51:11 GMT

We use heat pads etc as well but tend to use lamps to increase the ambient temp in a single kennel for hypothermic patients.

RE: Heat lamps

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:45:53 GMT

[quote user="Charlotte Marshall"] Can anyone recommend a suitable heat lamp for use in small animal kennels? [/quote]

Sorry if this is a odd question - but what situations are you needing this extra direct heating for? I'm assuming post-op patients?

Maintaining core temp perioperatively (buster positioning beds, heat pads, warm op room/kennel rooms, minimal shaving/wetting of patient, minimise anaesthetic times, get them fed ASAP after recovery etc) is more important/effective than post-op 'heating'. Thus the nurses need to be 'on it' from the start. The problem with providing surface heat of any description to a hypothermic animal is that it will then drop their blood pressure.

But maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick? Wouldn't be the first time....

RE: Heat lamps

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:33:44 GMT

The ceramic bulb Evelyn mentions is a very good heat source BUT, as the website says, you HAVE to use a pulse thermostat with them, otherwise they will be constantly heating to their maximum output. This would create the fire hazard that Evelyn mentions, but could also overheat/burn your patient! I'm not sure how you could/would manage to position a probe in a dog/cat kennel so I really wouldn't use them in this situation. They are only useful in a vivarium where the probe can be placed accurately (where the animal basks) and isn't at risk of it being chewed! You always need to place the bulb in a wire cage to avoid operator burns - they HURT!

RE: Heat lamps

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 15:34:41 GMT

Recommendation:

http://debonaireexoticanimalsupplies.com/3-accessories/exo-terra-ceramic-heat-lamp-100w-pt2046

But: After a good few years using heat lamps I decided they offered a considerable fire hazard and something of an electrical hazard, when used in the types of holders in which they are generally used. I went over to armoured heating pads without regret.

RE: Heat lamps

Bob Russell — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 09:46:42 GMT

We have an almost unused one that we got from a local agricultural merchants, years ago. I worry about temperature regulation with them so we generally make sure room temperatures are suitable, insulation underneath plus towels etc where necessary.

RE: Heat lamps

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 09:18:19 GMT

Turn the central heating up

Wynne