protecting rat teeth from tummy stitches

Question
 My grandrat is having a BIG problem keeping her sharp little teeth from her stitches on her lower tummy.  We do have a collar on her but she is so smart there are times she can get around this and has ripped her stitches out 3 times so far.  The vet has given my daughter stuff that is to taste awful to the rat to put on the stitches but she still keeps on getting to them.  Would you have any helpful hints as to what to do next?    Thanks,  this is a very special rat named Honey.

Answer
Hi Diane


What type of surgery did she have? Tumor removal?  If so, how long ago was it?

Also, if it was a tumor surgery, and it was mammary tissue that was removed, keep in mind these tumors are rarely invasive and the vet never has to make a deep incision. Instead, think more along the lines of a big "wart"!    You wont see the insides of her body from a wound like this and to be honest, it will heal on its own. Is she on antibiotics?  Please see this page I just made the other day on my website. Its not finished yet but a friend of mine (that I actually became friends with after she wrote to me last year about her little rat) had tumor removed on her girl, Skye, who I used as a feature on my site. She pulled stitches and glue and she was scared she was able to see inside her body. I reassured her you couldn't but it felt better coming from more than one person. Her vet confirmed what I had told her (the tumor was subcutaneous like most mammary tumors are) and there would be no blood and guts to witness!  However, infection is a risk.  I always suggest no matter what, that the vet give at least amoxil to the rat post op mainly because of situations like this.
Read story and see photos on my website.  Here is the URL:

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

Anyhow, let me know what type of surgery it was before I go on and tell you what route is best to take in her situation.  I have had tons of experience with this and can tell you that collars dont work and the nasty bitter tasting stuff applied to the incision doesn't work either. In fact some rats LOVE the taste!  LOL

Anyhow let me know what type of surgery it was and we can go from there.