Abscess follow-up:

Question
QUESTION: Hi Sandra,

I came home on Thursday night (today is late Saturday) to my rat having a rather large mass (w/ the circumference of a dime at the abscess' base) on his chest.  Assuming it was the worst possible outcome (a tumor), I began making plans to have him evaluated by a veterinarian.  While I don't have time EVERY day to handle my rats, I was surprised to see how quickly this 'tumor' had come out of nowhere--because I certainly didn't notice it before then!

Last night, after I arrived home, I noticed that it had 'popped' and began looking on the 'Net immediately to see what had occurred w/ my poor George and determined that he had an abscess that had drained.  Cancer problem (seemingly) adverted, eh?

I was able to create a saline solution to clean the wound with and all looked well.  No pus collecting at the site and the telltale 'crater' was pretty obvious to see.  First thing this morning I went and bought a light peroxide solution, some Neosporin, and some cotton balls and Q-tips.

I cleaned and sterilized his cage first thing this morning and have cleaned the wound twice today, much to George's dismay (he's a wrestler).  I've noticed that the site of the abscess has produced a little pus, which I'm quick to clear away.  But I've begun to notice that the site seems to be producing a little blood and flesh in the abscess is turning a bit pink (sign of inflammation?).  Is this normal in the healing process?  

Should I be concerned or is this par for the course?

There are no vets open this weekend, so I'm essentially stuck handling this for myself...

Thank you so much for your help.  George thanks you, too... even if he hates our efforts.  ;)

Mike

ANSWER: Your doing just fine, but if you can, I would hold on the peroxide and just use the saline and neosporin. The peroxide can damage the delicate tissue around the open wound.  Is there an odor? What color is the pus, green, white or yellowish?  

It may get worse before it starts to heal and be an open wound, complete with what you are seeing as per the tissue (pink is good!) It may even turn a bit necrotic around the edges while it heals. It may even fill up again and should a scab form, keep a warm compress on it to get it to free up so the pus doesnt get trapped inside. If it swells, you may need to fight him to press around the base and express more pus out of it.
I would clean the ulceration with the saline and apply the neosporin several times a day till it looks healthy again.  
It should heal within a week. You will be surprised they start to heal as fast as they came. Rats are really prone to these things and if you dont have the stomach for it, your in trouble.  ;)

Your doing good though so hang in there. Tell George I am sorry you may need to restrain him in the "burrito wrap" so he needs to chill for you while your doing this!  LOL!  Ask my boys, they hate me for a few days when they get these things.  I have all kinds of goodies for cleaning abscesses out and I like to pick (sounds a bit perverse, I know) so they get pissed at me and hide when they get them, like they know what is in store for them.  LOL!

Hope this helps and if you need more advice just ask. I am always nearby!

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the speedy reply, Sandra.  It's good to know that I'm not completely messing this up.

What do you mean by "burrito wrap"?  I've never heard that term before, but it sounds like some sort of restraint that may help in keeping George from squirming around.

Additionally, what other kind of tools would you recommend in dealing with such homegrown veterinary care?  All I'm working with are Q-tips and cotton balls right now.  While they're relatively effective, if there are better tools I can use and obtain relatively cheap I would certainly like to obtain some.

And what exactly comprises a warm compress?  A washcloth soaked in hot/warm water?

And thanks for the advice in laying off the peroxide.  I'll stop using it now.  Some of the websites that I'd been to said to use it; others said saline.  At least I didn't use rubbing alcohol, eh?  Heh...

Are there any telltale signs that I should be aware of in case things go downhill?  Unfortunately, my work hours are pretty brutal, so they'd have to be pretty obvious signs.  George is a shy rat, so spends most of his days in his rat house (unlike Lenny, who's basically doing anything short of rattling the cage door for attention when I get home).  George certainly has an obvious behavior pattern, but it's not anything like Lenny's.  If something bad was affecting Lenny, you'd know right away...

Thanks again,
Mike

ANSWER: Well I wont say the other sites are inaccurate by suggesting to use peroxide (they are LOL!) just kidding. Everyone has a different idea of what to use. I learned from work not to use it so I just listen to the Vets that have the degrees on the walls.
Other sites suggest not to squeeze the abscess at all for fear it will spread the infection in more, but if you do it correctly and press under the lump, under the base, it will not be harmful and in fact, it is the only way sometimes to get the rest of the bacteria out. I have had a good chuckle at some sites that suggest the abscess can become infected, because they are already infections. That is what an abscess is. A pocket of bacteria. The only sites I really trust are the rat guide and RMCA and the rat fan club, and thats about it.
As for the burrito wrap, you hit the nail on the head; its a form or restraint, like the name implies, you make a rattie burrito by taking a towel and wrapping the rat in it, paws and all so he cannot move about. I was half joking because it can be pretty stressful and stress can mess with the immune system. With active infection, I wouldnt want to rock the boat unless you really were unable to clean the wound at least 30% or so. George is spared, but dont tell him that. ;)

As for the warm compress: yes, that is all it really is, a soft warm wet wash cloth, but you can use an old sock filled with rice that was nuked in the microwave till the rice is warm. This will bring any pus to a head if needed and will also soften the skin and any scab so it can burst easier.

The supplies I have on hand for my rats, although not really impressive, are oral antibiotics (liquid baytril) sterile gauze, in case I have to pack the cavity and there have been some deep ones that needed packed due to bleeding etc...
Chlorhexedrine or nolvasan solution for disinfecting the wound, and also saline solution too. Lets see, latex gloves, cotton balls, tweezers, qtips, just stuff that you can use but really dont need. It would be nice if you had some antibiotics handy, esp something such as bactrim, which works well orally when dealing with an abscess but thats not to worry about yet unless there are problems with this thing clearing up, which I dont see happening, at least I hope not. My rats have had huge abscesses on their abdomens the size of quarters and I can stick my finger in it if I tried (I am a small woman so my fingers are not really big, but still...just the idea...::shudders::)and just doing what your doing was all that was needed and it all healed up nicely, fur grew back and no evidence of any crate exists to this day.

So you also wanted to know how to tell if your little reserved man were to have complications, such as systemic infection, perhaps, and you would know because he would really be lethargic. He would probably not be real interested in food or treats, would not want to come out for exercise and playtime, and would also have a really nasty looking wound going, possibly with a terrible smell, although they can smell regardless.  At this point I would push the fluids though since we all know keeping hydrated is imporatant no matter what, but during active infection, even if it is a localized infection that is isolated or encapsulated to a specific area, its still a good idea to keep him fed and hydrated.  Dont freak if you see him working on that abscess on his own. He probably is the one that got it to burst in the first place.  

Hope this helps.

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

QUESTION: Thanks for the website recommendations.  I think I had the Rat Fan Club site bookmarked, but I'll page through them all later tonight.  It'll be nice to keep things in the back of my mind, in case other health complications pop up down the road (which, w/ rats, is likely to happen from what I read... why, o' why, is my cat so much easier to take care of??  :P).

In terms of your discussion of rat/George's behavior, he's a bit skittish right now, but responds well to some of the more choice morsels in his food mix.  I'll be sure to keep an eye on that.  I just caught him happily drinking from his water bottle, so that's good too.

And, yes, I'm sure the little bugger popped his own abscess.

Oh yeah!  One more question (for now, and thank you soooo much for all your advice thus far... I'm not freaking out nearly as much for my dear rattie): the abscess is pretty big (like a said, the open wound is about the circumference of a dime... maybe slightly larger), how exactly do I pack a wound w/ sterile gauze?

I'm an English major who manages to keep himself relatively wound-free.  I've never had to pack a wound w/ gauze, human or otherwise.  Knowing what little I do of rats thus far (I've only had them 3 months or sp), I can only imagine that it won't be bound to them long before it's ripped off and used for bedding.

Thanks again,
Mike

Answer

Hi Mike


I forgot to include my website, unless you already have the link which is on my profile. If not, here is the URL:

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


Anyhow, about packing the abscess.  You should only pack it once the abscess is done draining and if it is so deep the muscle and other tissue are exposed. This prevents debris from entering. An abscess needs to heal from the inside out, so its not always the best idea to pack it until you know it is necessary.  Packing is easy, but removing it can be painful. The rat will probably do it on his own anyhow.
To pack it, simply clean the wound very well and make sure no pus remains. Soak the guaze in saline solution and simply put the first end in the hold, pushing it gently in but making sure it doesnt stick out and touch the sides of the wound. You will probably need to cut it into a thin long strip.  Layer it like, geeze I dont know, I guess like you would a lasagna noodle, if that makes sense.  Going one way with the gauze and back the opposite direction. You can secure it with a blob of neosporin but I would not tape it down.  
DO NOT pack it ever if there is pus remaining or this will trap it and cause the infection to either get worse or delay healing.

As for cats being easier, I beg to differ.LOL! Check out the URL below:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j71/sugarfoxx/08%20June%20Misc/buzzardtail032.

The photo is of my $1700 cat! Check out his tail! He had to have most of it amputated because our extra large dog decided to lean against the door and shut the door on Buzzards tail.  Long story short, cat freaks, pulls his tail out sheering off the skin and leaving the vertabrae exposed. It was, to say the least, enough to bring me to my knees.  He stayed in the hospital 10 days because he just could not heal properly so here he is now in the laundry area going for his food. Check out his tail!  Total bill was $1700. I about laughed in the receptionists face when she casually said "that will be one thousand seven hundred dollars. What check number is that you will be writing?"  I stood there, frozen, saying goodbye to our simulus check.
The cat is as grumpy and ungrateful as ever.
I have spent plenty on the vermin though, check out on my website the page on health care. THe rat with the bad eye and after the surgery, left with one eye, is my own rat. I have paid money for tumor surgery and neuters and eye surgery and you name it.  
Which reminds me, while on my site, check out the page on finding a vet. You should find one now before you need one.  Go to the link to the AEMV and check out your state for the nearest exotic vet. You may need to drive a bit, but its worth it. Any other vet that simply says they can TRY to help the rat is wasting time and money. I drive a good 45 mins to see our vet.  Gas is not cheap, but its still worth it for the proper care!

Oh and now that you said your an english major I have become very uncomfortable with my bad grammar and spelling so forgive me.  :)