At our practice, to stop patients from developing mid/post op hypothermia, in addition to covering the patient in a blanket (apart from where the VS wants to operate on), we put baby socks onto their paws to help keep them warm.
The socks are just the cheapest toweling ones from the local supermarket, or few pairs donated from staff members who have had children...............but they work a treat! Our rates of post op hypothermia have dropped considerably since using them, even in dental surgery patients.
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That's a great idea, I'll definitely remember that for whenever I'm lucky enough to get a job..
We wrap their bedding in the heat pads to warm it up while we are operating. We also use bubble wrap and foil to cover them.
All these tips are great, thanks. I'll definitely try them. I'm a newbie :)
Oh I may try this one. I'd never thought of this.
When animals have had a dental and their face is wet, we dry them off with a towel and hair dry them. By combing their hair at the same time, it not only helps with normothermia, but also makes them look better to the client when they go home :)
When I know a patient is due to come into recovery from surgery, I place the bedding in the dryer for 10 minutes to warm it up, then its nice and toastie for when the patient comes out of surgery!!
bubblewrap is also excellent for adding warmth plus it will go through a couple of washes in the washing machine if required.
:-)
at the moment we use the 'hot dog' electric heating systems they seem to work really well ! x
Another good one i use in practice is to cut pieces of pet saver foil, and use these pieces to wrap their paws and around their head covering their ears. They look daft as anything but for long ex laps etc works a treat :)
We use hot water circulating pads and towels during dentals. I like the socks idea! We do lots of dentals. Thanks!