cyst and swollen paw

Question
Hi Sandra,

I have a couple of questions to ask about my rat Reuban. When I got home from work last saturday he didn't come out to see me as usual, which was strange, couse he just knows when I get home every day and he is at his door coming to meet me. I tried to call him out, finaly he did, because I had his favourite bisquite in my hand. He was not able to step on his right rear paw and had a big difficulty walking. I took him out of his cage to have a look at it and I found a lump on his left side of the body, which I never noticed before. I am prety sure it wasn't there when he was lying on my lap on friday night and were watching telly together. The lump was about 1/2 inch big and had a big red dot in the middle. Otherwise, he didn't seem sick. Once I got him out he was the same Reuben I know, just wanted to cuddle and wonder around our sofa as usual. He didn't even lost his apetite, he drinks and eats as usual, also I had to move his food and water bottle on his ground floor, as he is not able to walk as usual. I only took him to the vets this morning, as they were closed on sunday and couldn't get any appointment on monday.
The vet said, she couldn't find any fraction but it is badly swollen. She also said, that the lump was a cyst and she squeezed it out. She gave him a couple of injections (antibioticks and painkillers) after she ASKED ME if I want some. I am a bit concerned about it, cause she as a vet shoud know what is the best for him. I am on the internet looking for some information for days now and bit warried about how she traeted my rat, the cyst should be cleaned and wiped, she only used a paper towel to get the stuff out. Is it posible to get all those medication I read about somewhere else, or can I only get them from the vets? Also, Reuban tries to lie on the side where the cyst is cause of his hurt paw on the right side and I dont' think this is going to help it to heal. I dont know, what to do with that paw, it' s been like that for 3 days now, I suppose I just should wait what the antibioticks and painkillers would do. Also I'd like to ask if the cyst and the hurt paw have something to do with each other as they appeared at the same time.
Sorry for such a long essay and for my English I am a Slovakian, but tried my best.
Thank you very much for your time.

Katarina

Answer
Your English was great, do not apologize. I love getting letters from people all over the world. Earlier today I received one from someone in Africa. Just awesome, and you all speak very good English. Impressed. I cant speak anything but!! :0  

About your rat, please see my personal rat health care site called Critter City. Take a look at the rat with infection of the foot.  It is very swollen and red. Also, the abscess that he has that was drained by the vet should be cleaned out with an antibiotic solution and you can buy it at the store, although I have no idea what products are sold in your area. The oral antibiotics are only available from the vets though. Again though, I do not know the laws of your country and what is allowed to be sold over the counter.  What is your rat taking?  
Here is the link to my website. Please see the info on the infection of the rats foot. Tell me if the photo looks like your rats paw.


http://www.sandyscrittercity.com/swollenfootinfection.htm


 Your rat needs more antibiotics to take by mouth, an injection doesnt last long enough in most cases.