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  Discussion on Any one have tips for hot compresses?
Author Message
Member:
Beezle

Posted on Thursday, Sep 19, 2002 - 11:47 am:

I have a mare with pigeon fever and I have to use hot compresses for 5-10 minutes twice a day to try to bring out the abcesses. I bring out a container of hot water and a small towel. I dunk the towel in, squeeze it out and apply until it gets cold (about a minute), then repeat. It seems there must be a better way to do this... Water gets cold too fast.

I am sure some of you out there have some great tips. Please share!

Becky
Member:
Chrism

Posted on Thursday, Sep 19, 2002 - 2:23 pm:

You can buy chemical hand warmer pads at outdoor/sport stores catering to hunters. They are sealed plastic baggies with a dot in the center and fluid in them. When you massage the dot, it causes the chemicals to react and give off heat. You can then wrap this in a damp towel if you need moist heat, or a dry towel for dry heat.

If you look, you can often find reuseable ones. These get reactivated by boiling in water at home and the chemicals "unreact." Then it can be reused.

Once they activate, they give off heat for a time.

If you have access to an electrical power outlet, there is always the heating pad option, too. Be sure to tend the horse with this as you don't want them getting tangled, stepping on the wire, etc.

Restoration Hardware also sells a hand warmer for golfers/hunters, etc. that looks like an old zippo lighter. I believe it is fueled with lighter fluid and you actually light it. Then keep it in your pocket. I imagine this would work, too.

Good luck.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Thursday, Sep 19, 2002 - 3:40 pm:

what i used when my gelding came down with pigeon fever was a warming stone... the kind you put in the basket of rolls to keep them warm on the dining room table... it stays HOT for over an hour.. longer then i needed.... i would wrap it in a moist towel....

you can find them in kitchen supply stores...

ann
Member:
Sallytwh

Posted on Thursday, Sep 19, 2002 - 3:51 pm:

If you have an old fashioned Hot Water Bottle you can use that wrapped in a wet towel..
Sally
Member:
Fpony

Posted on Friday, Sep 20, 2002 - 6:43 am:

Get a sock-old or new, put rice in it. If you don't over fill it it will conform better. Tie a knot in the end or stitch it if you want it to be less home made. Now you can place this in the microwave and heat it for one to how ever many min. or seconds (depending on the size of you sock) and it will give off a moist heat. You can use this over for years. It can get hot so you may want to wrap it in a towel or even a pillow case. I use this for my kids tummy aches.

It stays warm for at least 15 min in the house.Kim
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Sep 20, 2002 - 8:19 am:

All good suggestions above to which I would add, bring two wash cloths, one soaking while you use the other and put the water in a small insulated cooler.
DrO
Member:
Beezle

Posted on Friday, Sep 20, 2002 - 11:07 am:

Excellent suggestions everyone! This should give me a lot of things to try!
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