swollen foot

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra.... I think you have helped answer some questions for us before on the same rat, Francy (he had mites and an abscess before when we've asked for your help but he's great in those areas).

He is very large (probably overweight but gets same diet that is fed to other normal sized rats) and we have noticed he's been squeaking when we hold him, not a normal situation.  We just lost a rattie a few days ago (my thinking is myco) so we are on edge and worried about the other two (all sep cages, rat that passed was kept in sep room).

We noticed he isn't moving much and just now saw that one of his feet is very swollen and probably about twice the size of the other one.  It's a purply-red color also.  He is on a single floor cage with plenty of litter padding (no wire) so we don't think it could be bumblefoot.  We are REALLY worried here and also not near any exotic vets (not that we can afford it anyway unfortunately).  Is there anything we can do here at home to help him?

Thanks,
Jennifer Rice


Acute bumblefoot   ANSWER: You wouldnt believe it, but bumblefoot can be acute and can act a bit differently than we are used to seeing. Usually, bumblefoot starts out as a small ulcerate sore on the bumble, or heel, of the rat.
Acute bumblefoot is a bit different. It happens when the rat steps on something that may make a small cut in the foot and if they step in their own urine or feces and the timing is right, they can get a nasty infection right away rather than having the bumble grow slowly over time.

See this attached photo and let me know if this looks like what Francy has now.  

As for exotic vets, just for kicks. let me know your location and I will give you names of decent vets that are near you. No obligation to see them of course.  However, if he does have this, he will need oral meds.  Before I panic though check out the photo and tell me how it compares to Francys and also if you want, I would like to see a photo of his foot as well.



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


francy bumble foot?   QUESTION: It looks very much like the picture you have.  He won't walk on it and he slides it.

Here are some pics we attempted to get.

Is he in serious pain?  Can we do anything here for him?

We are in Marble Falls, Tx 78654.

Answer
The reason he wont walk on it is probably because it is hurting him to some degree.

As for treatment, he needs oral antibiotics. I wish I could say just soaking it in old fashioned Epsom salts will work, and in fact, it may help some of the swelling, but the infection needs oral antibiotics.

The vet needs to know what he is dealing with and some vets will not recognize this as bumblefoot and think its a sprain or break, which if you had any lick of sense you would know its swollen and angry from infection.  If it were a break, the skin would not be so red like this.

What do you have at home as far as antibiotics go?  Anything?


As for vets, here is what I have for you:


Research Pet and exotic Hospital
11679 Research Blvd.
Austin TX 78759
Phone:    512-258-2577
Website: www.researchpet.com

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I am sure I can do better but wanted to ask first what meds you have at home, human type, doesnt matter.