Draining and Cleaning an Abscess/Cyst

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

One of my rats, Neeva, had a pea size bump on the side of her neck near her ear.  We noticed it a few days ago, but the lump didn't seem to be bothering her.  We have been applying a warm cloth on it for as long as possible, and trying to get her to lay on a hot water bottled.  I'm not sure if it was an abscess or a cyst.  It had a black/dark red looking scab in the middle, and was a large pink bump.  It was difficult to see because of her fur, but when wet it was very prominent.  You could also feel it when petting her.

Today the bump started oozing a thick, light green, pasty puss.  It  did not smell at all.  I squeezed it until I got as much of the puss out as I could, and tried to clean it with Bactine.  There is still some puss inside that I am having difficulty getting out.  What else can I do to clean it out?  Should I try to clean deep down into the "hole" that the wound has made?  Can you recommend what to do step by step?

I can make an appointment at the vet after the weekend is over.  In the meantime, I do have some extra Baytril pills left over from after one of our other rats passed away a month ago.  Do you recommend giving her the anti-biotics?

Thank you so much.



ANSWER: Hi Emily


Sounds like an abscess for sure.  I have a page on my website on how to get them to burst and when they do, how to clean them, step by step. You can take a look here:

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/skinproblemsabscesses.htm

I will still blab about it here, though, but you may like the rest of my website and possible refer to it in the future.

Since the worst is over (getting it to drain) the rest falls into place. Dont worry about how deep it is, just make a solution using hibicleanse or saline solution. Bactine is not strong enough to kill the nasties that cause the abscesses on rats.  Anyhow, even saturating a cotton ball and wringing it out over the open abscess is ok, but if you have a dropper that would be easier to get it in deeper.  After that, fill it best you can with neosporin or any antibacterial ointment, even generic is ok.  I dont recommend oral meds unless it doesnt heal after a week or so.  However, is it on her face between the ear or jaw or just as you said, on her neck?  

It should heal ok. Just watch her for more in the future. It seems if you have a rat that gets one, they are prone to them and may get more later on down the road....not a text book thing but I have seen it alot with my own and clinic rats too.  

She should be fine though and heal without incident. Oh and dont worry if she should lick it or lick the neosporin out of it. It wont hurt. Just be sure she leaves it alone at least for 10 minutes or long enough for it to absorb.

My rats used to get them right in the center of their chest, like this big blast from a gun. It was so nasty the entire rat room had a nasty odor from the pus. Even the trash bag that I used to toss the used cotton balls and paper towels smelled.  Sometimes the strains of bacteria that cause these things are super nasty.  As I am sure you know this already, be sure to wash up after your done cleaning her wounds etc...  poor baby. She will be ok, dont worry:)

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much!

It seems to be healing fine, the swelling has completely gone down.  The abscess was on her neck, behind her right ear and jaw.

Thanks for your website.  It's very informative (informative for spelling too!  May I correct myself with "pus" not "puss"!!)

Answer
OMGosh I thought I took that out about the spelling correction?  After I put it, I thought I sounded like an snob about it and meant it to be more funny than anything so hopefully I did not offend.  I wanted that out of there......wonder why it is still there. I probably forgot to hit the SAVE button.  Trust me, I have spelling errors all the time and again, after I put that there I thought about it and thought I sounded like some anal retentive college professor so......LOL.....

Well anyhow, good to know its getting better. I wanted you to see the photos of the zymbals gland tumor to be sure this was not the location your rat had her abscess. Not sure if you saw this page but please take a look.  The good news is its healing!

http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/tumoronsideofface.htm