Heat sources

Heat has a healing effect on several diseases. Sometimes it is actually ordered by the vet. There are many different solutions provide a heat source.
Permanent and non-permanent heat sources are distinguished. Check the temperature of the latter (hot-water bottle, hot jars, Heatpack) regularly.

Caution!

• Make always sure that the heating elements are not too hot, otherwise there is the risk of overheating and heat stroke!
• Wrap hot-water bottles and hot screw-top jars into a towel, so that the patients won't get hurt by the hot surface!
• Heat animals with insufficient temperature up slowly, because otherwise the circulation may collapse!
• For some diseases the circulation-enhancing effect is not desired. Use no red light, but hot-water bottles, heating mats or similar heat sorces in this cases.

Heating cables are insulated wires, which are stucked with silicone on a surface such as glass. The heat intensity is regulated by the space between the cable curves. Pay close attention to the manufacturer's recommended minimum distance!
The cables can be stucked on a portable disk as well as directly under a glass enclosure. For plastic and wood, they are unsuitable for direct sticking. The portable version works like a heating mat.

Advantages

• constant heat
• portable variety easy to use
• also huge glass enclosures can be heated consistently

Disadvantages

• making the heating source is a bit laborious
• quite expensive

Suitability

• good for quaratine and medical cages
• portable variety easy to use like a heating mat
• as a heat sorce for autumn to prevent exotic mice from getting a cold

Heating mats are available in different sizes and power intensities. You can use these mats for enclosures made from glass or plexiglas, e.g. aquaria and terraria.
The mats are either placed under the enclosure or stuck to the backside.
Take care especially for closed cages, such as fauna boxes, aquaria and terraria, to fit the power of the mat to the size of the tank/cage. Otherwise you risk a heat accumulation and heat stroke for your pets! A 7-watt mat fits perfect for aquarium of 60x30cm for example for a slight warming. Always take lesser power if you doubt.

Advantages

• constant heat
• easy to use

Disadvantages

• quite expensive
• not available in every household

Suitability

• as a heat sorce for a patient
• as a heat sorce for autumn to prevent exotic mice from getting a cold

In the terraria section of the pet shop there are different types of heat radiators available (red light, moonlight and daylight bulbs, pure heat emitters). If you are unsure whether the precise range of radiation is suitable for mammals or not, ask the shopman.
Take care to fit the power of the bulb to the size of the tank/cage. A heat accumulation and thus the risk of heat stroke should be avoided!

Advantages

• constant heat
• quite cheap

Disadvantages

• puzzling diversity

Suitability

• as a heat spot (favoured by the mice: exposed, warm stones)
• to heat a closed cage/tank
• heat source for sick animals
• as a heat sorce for autumn to prevent exotic mice from getting a cold

Hot screw-top jars work like hot-water bottles. You can use marmelade jars, bottles or something similar which are filled with hot water.
Please note: The surface is too hot for your patient! Wrap the jar into an old towel.

Advantages

• jars can be found in every household
• quickly ready
• cheap

Disadvantages

• cools down within some hours → has to be changed regularely
• risk of breaking the glass

Suitability

• for first-aid-treatment, when no other heat sources are available
• for short distances, e.g. to the vet

The hot-water bottle is filled with hot water, wrapped into an old towel to prevent the patient from burning

Advantages

• easy and quick to handle
• can be found in nearly every household

Disadvantages

• cools down within some hours → has to be changed regularely
• risk of leakage when the patient gnaws at it
• thermal fluctuation

Suitablity

• for warming a patient at home
• for short distances, e.g. to the vet

Instant heat packs contain a gel and a small metal chip. If you bend the chip there will a reaction take place and heaten the pack immidiately. Usually these packs are sold in various forms as pocket warmers.
Please note: The various products generate very different heat levels! Try the final temperature before applying, so that your patient won't burn!

Advantages

• most people possess one
• heatens quick
• cheap

Disadvantages

• cools down within some hours → has to be changed regularely

Suitability

• for first-aid-treatment, when not other heat sources are available
• for short distances, e.g. to the vet

The wavelength of red light intrudes deeper into the body than other light spectra and thus provides a better warming of the patient, because it stimulates the circulation.
Red light bulbs are offered in both, medicine market as well as in the terrarium sections of a pets shop. When using a medical red light take care that the mouse don't look directly into the light, because otherwise eyes might get damaged up to blindness. You better shield the light with a thin cloth.
Red light bulbs for terraria can be used as a direct red light without shielding it.
Make sure to use a heat resistant ceramic or porcelain lamp holder, because the bulbs can get very hot!
Take especially care not to use too powerful bulbs in closed cages like terraria and tanks. Otherwise you risk heat accumulation and subsequently heat stroke for your pets!
Use medical red light bulbs only in cases of emergency and only for sick animals. For a long term usage you should apply red light for terraria - even for sick individuals.
Please note: For some diseases the circulation-enhancing effect of red light is unwelcome. Ask your vet for advice before using it!

Advantages

• constant heat
• quite cheap
• medical red light bulbs are to be found in most households
• easy to handle

Disadvantages

• direct exposure isn't possible when using medical red light bulbs
• not to use for every disease (e.g. NOT, when no strong circulation is desired)

Suitability

• as a heat spot for the enclosure (favoured by the mice: exposed, warm stones)
• to heat a closed cage/tank
• heat source for sick animals
• as a heat sorce for autumn to prevent exotic mice from getting a cold