Which Uvb Bulb/light To Buy?

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mikulinek

mikulinek

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Hi everyone,

I've been shopping around on the internet after finally deciding to invest in some UVB lighting for our guinea pigs. Does anyone have a bulb and/or lamp that they can recommend? It seems to be quite a complex field in terms of wattage, light/heat ratios and power etc. and the only recommendations on specific products I can find relate to birds, reptiles or amphibians. Does anyone have any positive experience of a particular lamp and/or bulb?
 
Can I ask what the reason you want to get one is?
 
It's been mentioned to me a few times over the past few years. Some specialist vets that I have spoken to have advocated its use, others have said there were no demonstrable benefits. However, in December of last year, a study was finally carried out to investigate UVB light's effect on vitamin D synthesis when compared to diet alone. The results were significant and promising - although the study was conducted on a small scale. See: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0114413
 
I would be worried about the heat causing fungal issues?
 
I guess it's like humans, we all need some UV light for general health and absorbing vitamins, though would never have thought to give a UVB bulb to my piggies, they are indoor too but a lots of pets, mice, gerbils, rabbits, hamsters etc all live indoor and don't think it would be a huge concern otherwise surely it would be a more common thing?
 
As suggested by this study, UVB light may well be a significant consideration for guinea pig "husbandry" that is not currently being recommended.

Having lost two boars to stone-related issues and knowing how common calcium stones can be, I am now pretty much convinced of the benefits of UVB light when done sensibly. Obviously too much exposure or having your lamp too close to the cage floor can be dangerous (depleted Langerhans cells among other skin issues). Heat isn't really an issue. Even UVB lamps that give off heat (bulbs that say they don't give off heat wouldn't be trusted as all bulbs give off heat) wouldn't produce enough heat to cause health problems.

Even outdoor piggies in the UK, at our latitude, would not get enough UV light for sufficient vitamin D synthesis. Sunlight passing through windows loses most of its vitamin D as well.

I was hoping that someone had already bought a lamp or some of the bulbs and tried them out. The variety of bulbs and lamps out there is enough to give me a headache and I was hoping someone might have a recommendation.
 
Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm quite interested though...would be good to find some one that uses them or has more information :)
 
Hi there,

Had come across your post while searching on UVB as this lighting was mentioned by our vet recently. Has anyone learned more or had your own experiences with the use of this light for your piggies? Would you add thoughts on what you have been able to find in your experience? We have middle-aged pigs, but are wondering how helpful this would be, especially during the winter. Thanks.
 
I use arcadia UV products for my reptiles and amphibians, they're supposed to be one of the best brands around. I'd never though of using it for pigs though! The guy who owns the company really knows his stuff so he should be able to talk you through what one would be best for what you need it for, how far away it would be from the guinea pigs etc. Their facebook page 'arcadia reptiles' is usually pretty quick at replying to queries :)
 
Just wondering if anyone has ever done this at all or read anything about it?
 
Came across it on a net search the other day.....
 
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