Bumblefoot medication

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I noticed that a few of my rats are starting to develop small red bumps on their feet and I'm pretty sure it's bumble foot. I've made a vet appointment, however, they are not reliable in their rat experience. I was wondering what medication should they be put on and for how long? Thank you so much!

ANSWER: Please refer to my website below for info on treat bumblefoot:       


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


Also, please let me know your location and I will gladly give you names of vets that treat exotics in  your  A reader wrote to me  yesterday about her rats feet and how they had little scabs and sores on them and here is what I told her to do for them as well.


Questioner: Caroline
Category: Pet Rats

Subject: Scab on rat's foot pad

Question: As I checked him tonight, I noticed that my rat, Monty, had a scab on the pad of his left back foot. It is about a millimeter across and is in the area behind the main three toes on the back paw. I do have wire floors in my cage, and immediately compared it to pictures of rats with bumblefoot. It does not appear to be bumblefoot, however, and is not swollen that i can tell. Monty seems to be fine other than this, but i worry about infection, as it is a tan color and looks sort of dry. I washed off the paw and don't know what I ought to do. Should I apply an antiseptic/wash it again with antibacterial soap? I see no evidence of recent bleeding or a cut. In the meantime, I will put some newspaper down in the cage (I would use the plastic cross-stitch stuff but can't get any right now) and wash the paw again with antibacterial soap. If you would like I may be able to send a picture.

Thanks!

Caroline
Answer: It sounds like bumblefoot. Typical bumblefoot starts off as redness on the bottom of the foot and turns to a sore or scab later on.  It can also be acute and out of the blue can cause the leg to swell up three times its normal size and this is a medical emergency because the bacteria is spreading into the rats leg.  
As for the wire cage floor, this doesnt cause bumblefoot like the myth says. Instead, simply the fact the rat (who is often a bit on the chubby side, but not always) may have a tiny cut on the bottom of their foot and they stand in a soiled area time after time. Much like a bed sore or pressure sore, the skin starts to break down and infection sets in.  Wash his foot good and keep his cage spic and span best you can. I do advise using thick layers of newspaper and cover it with the plastic needle point canvas which can be purchased in a pace of 6 sheets at walmart for just 2 dollars.   Wash his foot and apply some neosporin a few times a day.  If it gets worse, oral antibiotics are often  warranted but usually once a rat has it, its a real pain to get rid of.  
You can send a photo, yes, that would help so much.  So many people write to me and say that their rat has a sore or a lump here or there and want to know what it is. Its nearly impossible for me to even be remotely accurate without seeing a photo but with bumblefoot, its pretty simple. Sores or scabs on soles of feet means almost 99% of the time that its bumblefoot.

I think I should add some photos of typical bumblefoot on my sandyscrittercity.com site....I cant remember if I did or not!  Old age is warping my brain!   LOL



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My location is Swedesboro, New Jersey. I see that the medicine is called trimethoprim-sulfa is sulfa an abbreviation for something longer? And also how much should be given and is it oral medicine?

Answer
How close are you to this place?

Michael Weiss, DVM
All Creatures Veterinary Care Center
352 Greentree Road
Sewell, NJ 08080
(856) 256-8996

Yes its oral medication and should be given as per his weight, is available in different strengths,
5 mg trimethoprim/25 mg sulfadiazine
20 mg trimethoprim/100 mg sulfadiazine
80 mg trimethoprim/400 mg sulfadiazine
40 mg trimethoprim/200 mg sulfamethoxazole & 80 mg trimethoprim/400 mg sulfamethoxazole
160 mg trimethoprim/800 mg sulfadiazine

at 15mg/lb twice per day, which, when using ccs or mls, comes out to .15cc/lb

Doses as per RMCA dosage chart and The Rat guide, respectively.