Rat fight bite

Question

Poor Neela   QUESTION: You answered my question about my rat, Neela, and her degolved tail so well and now I have another question. Poor little girl is injured again. During introductions to a new rat, my resident rat(Neela) was bitten across the shoulder/neck area. It is rather large and opens and closes when she walks. Its about an inch across and is oozing blood. I've read on various sites about that it will probably not need stitches and that I should use neosporin plus to treat it with, as well as keeping her in a clean cage with shredded paper bedding. I've moved her to a clean cage and can get neosporin in the morning. I was just wondering if there is any thing else I can do to keep her comfortable, and if/when I should take her to the vet. Sites I have looked at say its not needed, but I am more than willing to take her in if she needs it. I am also wondering if I should continue to try introductions after she is healed or if I should give up. The introductions had been going well up to that point, when the new rat puffed up her fur and showed other signs of aggression then attacked before I could remove either of them from the situation. After the fight, both acted like nothing happened, then upon examination of the rats, discovered the hole on my resident rats shoulder. I've attached a picture. thank-you in advance for your help.

ANSWER: Oh my, thats nasty. It may very well need a few stitches just to stop active bleeding.

Usually we say NOT to stitch a rat bite, but that is when its a puncture wound. This is more of a slash.  It depends on the vet, but I would say she should be seen just to be safe, esp since it continues to ooze blood.

YOU are lucky you did not get bitten when you broke the fight up. I did that once and wow did I get bit, twice actually, by a very angry, almost crazed with rage, 3 pound buck.  He was always so sweet but something pissed him off and that was it. He cornered both of his brothers and was on the hammock, rocking it back and forth and making this snorting sound. He lunged at them and there was screaming and squeaking and I reached in and CHOMP! Double CHOMP! Blood was everywhere and the pain was unbelievable.  I cried, not because it hurt but because my feelings were hurt.  My sweet big beefy Grayson bit the heck out of me!  Of course I should have known better, with my training and all, stupid me.  I did not get stitches as these were deep punctures that needed to ooze and drain.  This though...I dunno.....and the vet may want to give her oral antibiotics too. Animal bites can get infected easily, esp since rats carry staph as a normal flora on their skin, same as humans.  When the skin is opened from a cut or bite, the normal flora gets in and can cause infection.  They also abscess easily after a bite, so maybe oral meds would be good. Again, depends on the vet. If you have an established vet you can just call and tell them about it, see what they say.  You can even ask to email the photo in. I have done that rather than drive 50 minutes if the vet says I can take care of things at home. I do have a supply of baytril and stuff on hand anyhow though, but they have even mailed me meds to save me time in the car.

As for the shredded paper....I would start with rags first and white paper towels shredded in a small litter pan. Change soon as its soiled with feces especially.

Can you see inside the wound? Do you see pink or yellow tissue/muscle?

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

QUESTION: I could see pink tissue/muscle stuff when it first happened, which is when I sent you the picture and question (I sent both within 30 minets of it happening) It stopped bleeding after about two hours and scabbed over by morning. She's eating drinking and playing normally. I can't call the vet right now, but can hopefully call before they close this evening to ask about it. (My vet is great with ratties, but whenever you call, they insist on seeing them, whether or not that is truly needed. a little annoying)thank you truly for all of your advice.

Oh, and I didn't have to break up the fight, newbie backed off shortly after the fight(Neela pushed her away)I was bit a few times by one of my bucks, funny how we both cried for the same reason. :)
Thanks again

Answer
If it has scabbed over some, forget it. They cant or shouldnt stitch it.

Thats good news that it is mending itself.  Keep it clean using saline solution on it and once its really sealed closed, dab the neosporin, but dont do it till it closes really good.