Rat Surgery-stitches

Question
Dear Sandra,

You have helped my wife and I in the past with our rats. Our newest rat Izzy had surgery 4 days ago to remove a benign tumor. We found a great Vet who treats rats, he put in stitches inside and outside to help her heal. She's on antibiotics and a pain medication. Izzy has been back to the vet three days in a row now because she has pulled them out. Yesterday the Vet gave us a bitter spray, which we've been using along with a sock to go over the areas. The Vet had to put in a few staples in hopes she would stop pulling them. This morning she was bleeding and had pulled out another stitch and two staples. I don't know what else to do. I want her to heal but if she keeps pulling them out how can she? Would really appreciate your advice on this.

Sincerely,
David

Answer
She will heal without them. I would not continue to put her through the staples and stitches. I bet she is getting just metacam for pain, right?   This is nothing more than an NSAID, not for moderate pain, and when the rat hurts they go for the source of pain.  Stitches and staples bother some rats so they remove them again and again.   Tumors are usually subcutaneous and they do not dig deep to remove them. Think "wart".   You wont see guts and blood and muscle and tissue if she is not stapled. No organs will protrude out. I promise.  If it were a spay, I would say otherwise, but a tumor, which is probably mammary tissue, is not deep at all.  Pat it dry with some sterile non stick gauze to blot any blood and apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment. Remove all litter and bedding from cage and lay down white paper towels. This way no litter can get in the wound.  She will be happier without the stitches and this should start to heal nicely. It may take a bit longer, but it will heal, I promise. Cross my heart:)