abcess?

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandy,
I have a two year old female rattie, Cirrus, who had a growth on her tummy just last week. The vet told me it was a tumor, but in a couple days I saw some green on the growth. Now, a few days later, the growth is gone and a scab has formed. I read one of your postings about abscesses and now I think that's what it is. But, I didn't do a thing to drain it and my room doesn't smell. My question is, do you think it drained into the bedding (Care Fresh) slowly over the past few days?
Her energy, appetite and affection has never faded, so it seems like she's okay. Should I just watch for more swelling around the area and drain it myself if there's any more?
Thanks!
~ Worried Mommy (Laura)

ANSWER: Hi Laura

If it swells again, you can aid in draining it, but for now, try to loosen up the scab, because sometimes there is more pus in the abscess just under the scab. You can loosen it by keeping neosproin on it and also bathing it with warm compresses. If it bursts again, irrigate the hole left with a dropper and either saline solution (diluted) or clear clean warm water. After that, just keep it clean and dab on some neosporin.

Also, I would question the vets diagnosis. Is this vet an exotics vet?
Even I can tell by examining if a mass is a tumor, abscess or a tumor that has abscessed (most of the time) just by feeling it. Did the vet even bother to palpate the mass? He probably was all ready to schedule surgery.....on an abscess!  Yikes!

If I misjudged the vet, forgive me, but if your not satisfied with your current vet, please allow me to give you a few names of exotic vets near you. No obligation to see them,of course, but just to keep the names handy just in case you should need a good exotics vet if you (or anyone else reading this) dont have one.

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

QUESTION: Thanks Sandy. The vet did palpate the mass and checked Cirrus out for signs of trouble elsewhere, but she said surgery was the only treatment. I opted out of it because Cirrus already went through it once and was mis-er-a-ble(as was her mommy!) for a couple weeks afterward. I thought if she was going to keep getting tumors, I didn't want the rest of her life spent in an E-collar. Now I wonder if it even was a tumor that first time.
I'd be happy to take some names of exotics vets in my area. My zip is 94618.
For the scab, is bacytracin just as good as neosporin? It's what I keep around the house. She has a cagemate/sister, so should I keep them separate for a while so the ointment can get into her skin without getting groomed off? How long? Thanks again!
Laura


Answer
Hi Laura

There is no reason for a rat to wear an E-collar, ever.
The problem isnt the rat, but rather, the vet. A skilled vet that knows the way rats think (I studied exclusively in rodent/rat behavior) and if the stitches are pulled too tight and he is in pain, he will go to the source of the pain to make himself comfortable, which is of course to rip the stitches out.  The key to a good incision is to stitch it internal with dissolvable stitches and again on the outside, with surgical glue to top it off.  The stitches should not be pulled too tight or this will cause discomfort to the area and the rat will pick them. This will also cause discomfort to the point that for the first 2 days, narcotic pain medication is warranted rather than a NSAID like metacam which is only for mild pain.  If the patient was a person, they would be on better medication, you can bet! After all, we are talking about moderate invasive surgery, possibly in the abdomen or chest or in areas that are super sensitive and the person would not be expected to take an advil to manage that type of pain. Well the rat should have the same respect too and be given proper pain relief.  Trust me, doing it this way, I have never had my own rat or clients rats mess with the surgical site when it is done properly!

Also, do not remove the rat from her cagemate. If you keep the ointment (what you have is fine, btw) rubbed in and it has at least 5 mins. to absorb, that is plenty of time for it to do its job.
As for vets....
Here is the PERFECT place for you to take your rats!!!!

Dr. Laura Becker
Four Corners Veterinary Hospital    
1126 Meadow Lane
 Concord CA 94520
Phone:    925-685-0512