DocsDoctor Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I just wondered if any of you had used anything like this on your hounds? http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=19054&ar=1 It's human-sized of course but Doc is a big chap, and such a good boy that I'm sure he wouldn't mind having it put on him. He was thirteen in August and has a dodgy back - medication helps, as does physio every couple of weeks, but I know his shoulders get sore by the end of the day and thought that he might enjoy lying there with it on for a bit in the evening. Under supervision, of course - we've already experimented with a hot water bottle, and it did seem to help, but of course with that I have to sit there with him and hold it on! It's a very reasonable price so I think I might get him one as an early Christmas present.... Quote Clare with Tiger (Snapper Gar, b. 18/05/2015), and remembering Ken (Boomtown Ken, 01/05/2011-21/02/2020) and Doc (Barefoot Doctor, 20/08/2001-15/04/2015)."It is also to be noted of every species, that the handsomest of each move best ... and beasts of the most elegant form, always excel in speed; of this, the horse and greyhound are beautiful examples."----Wiliam Hogarth, The Analysis of Beauty, 1753. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I have heating pads for both the cats and dogs (for warmth, not arthritis). I got ones designed for animals because they don't get too warm. It is my understanding that human heating pads can get too hot for dogs, that they shouldn't get over 102 F. I see the one you are looking at has a low setting, that might be alright. I do think it would be a help for Doc, and probably feel really good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocsDoctor Posted December 8, 2014 Author Share Posted December 8, 2014 Thank you Remolacha, that's useful to know. I will check the available temperature settings before I buy - for toasty, rather than toasted! Quote Clare with Tiger (Snapper Gar, b. 18/05/2015), and remembering Ken (Boomtown Ken, 01/05/2011-21/02/2020) and Doc (Barefoot Doctor, 20/08/2001-15/04/2015)."It is also to be noted of every species, that the handsomest of each move best ... and beasts of the most elegant form, always excel in speed; of this, the horse and greyhound are beautiful examples."----Wiliam Hogarth, The Analysis of Beauty, 1753. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 Oooo-watch for dermal thermal burns. Those can come on days after you used the pad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin1017 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Robin's physical therapist recommended using a heating pad for his back on an area that is twitchy. She recommended using the kind you microwave so it cools down over time.... Quote Cathy & Calvin (DOB 9/18/13). Always missing my angel Robin (Abdo Bullard). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Houston1219 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 I work in a pharmacy and recently spoke to a customer picking up antibiotics for his dog about this very topic! He said that his dog got second and third degree burns on her back *while at the vet's office* from a heated blanket when she went in for spay surgery. Be extra careful to monitor closely, and spring for the more expensive type with heat settings. The one we own has 10 settings and we have never used it higher than 2, so still, be extra vigilant and place lots of layers between the heated blanket/heating pad and the dog. Odd thought, but would thermacare type pads be a feasable option? The ones made for back/neck pain come with a fabric sleeve that you could wrap around the dog? Or the bag of rice style ones that you microwave to a reasonable heat? Just a thought. Good luck to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocsDoctor Posted December 9, 2014 Author Share Posted December 9, 2014 Thanks everybody! It is temperature-controllable and I'm hoping that a low setting will be OK, but will check how hot that actually is before I buy. And I can run it past Doc's physio, too, we are seeing her on Thursday. I don't have a microwave which rules most of the heat packs out. I did try one of those gel ones that you heat in hot water, but they don't actually get very warm, and cool off again very rapidly. Quote Clare with Tiger (Snapper Gar, b. 18/05/2015), and remembering Ken (Boomtown Ken, 01/05/2011-21/02/2020) and Doc (Barefoot Doctor, 20/08/2001-15/04/2015)."It is also to be noted of every species, that the handsomest of each move best ... and beasts of the most elegant form, always excel in speed; of this, the horse and greyhound are beautiful examples."----Wiliam Hogarth, The Analysis of Beauty, 1753. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 As an arthritis sufferer, I would like to point out that if he has pain from inflammation, you'd want to apply ICE, not heat. You aren't supposed to even use a heating pad on elderly people, because of the risk. I don't think I'd put it on my dog, personally. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Feisty49 Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 As an arthritis sufferer, I would like to point out that if he has pain from inflammation, you'd want to apply ICE, not heat. You aren't supposed to even use a heating pad on elderly people, because of the risk. I don't think I'd put it on my dog, personally. I was going to post something like this. I have arthritis in my knees and on bad days, ice is the only thing that relieves the pain, other than a pill. Ice reduces the inflammation and that's what causes the pain. I'd try to find out from the vet if there is inflammation before putting heat on an area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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