wound

Question
QUESTION: This morning I went to check on my three female rats, each of them about 6 months old, when I noticed that one of my rats has a large wound just under her neck. The rats have always been happy with each other and none of the other rats have wounds. I don't know how she got her wound, seeing as how she got it overnight. I have taken out a ladder with hooks(not sharp) and their litter box which has pointed corners, but don't know what else to do. please help. Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Eric

I have a few things to ask before I can give a more accurate diagnosis if that is what you call it. A "virtual diagnosis" sounds better. :-)

Do your girls ever fight? Play wrestling in normal as is chasing each other, rolling and some squeaking is normal rat play. Standing on their back legs upright, shoving, walking in circles or hitting (body slamming actually) sideways into the opponent, even hissing or chattering (which is like bruxing, only this situation the rat is angry!!) those are signs of an aggressive fight ready to happen.
Often a bite may occur during play fighting too though but this wound seems to have you concerned or you would not have looked for outside help..

A few questions first although I pretty much have an idea what is going on and how to treat it but will save it for when I hear back from you.

First of all, is the wound hollowed out, like a crater or is it more like a puncture wound from where teeth may have penetrated?
Is there a scab on it and if so, did you notice it before the scab or after the scab had formed?

Does the area looked swollen at all?

Was there blood found anywhere?

Do you have any medications at home that were for your rats and if so, what is it and what is the expiration date?

This way if I need to resort in telling you to treat her in order to prevent serious infection until a vet can see her on Monday I will know what you have on hand.

Also, do you have any over the counter medications such as neosporin or cortisone ointments?


ALso do you know how much she weighs, by chance?

Its super hard to really get a vision in my head without asking a gazillion questions so please pardon all of the questions I asked.  Also, if there is a way you can snap a few pictures of her wound that would be super helpful.
If this is possible, please email to me at:

Sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com

Looking forward to hearing back form you so I can help you and your little girl the best I can .         


Regards

Sandy


FOLLOW UP

Your rat probably had an abscess that burst open and drained


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

QUESTION: I apologize for not following up here, I emailed this mesage to you instead.

Hi Sandy

yes, my rats do fight, but always stop after a few seconds with no injuries. My rat's wound is hollowed out, not a puncture.  There was no scab on it and it does not look swollen, so I'm guessing its new. On the litter tray corner, I found a tiny speck of something red. I don't know if this is blood or not, but I don't know how a corner could do that much damage. It can be considered pretty sharp, so I've replaced the tray with one that has round corners. I have neosporin at home, but no rat medications, though if it is necessary, I'll definitely go get some.
I'm sorry I couldn't attach any photos, she's not wanting to stay still, and the pictures are turning out blurry for some reason. Thanks again.

Eric


Answer
Oh thats OK that you mailed me... I answered you the same thing I am putting here.  LOL  Lets play MUSICAL MESSAGES, its pretty similar to phone tag. LOL

Anyhow here is the message I emailed you as well:
_______________________________________

Hi Eric

Sounds like an abscess that opened up and drained.
If it happened in the cage and something caught her and injured her, she would have left blood splatters around.
Since this is more than likely an abscess, she probably cleaned up the "mess" that came out of it herself, which is normal for her to do, so don't worry.

Keep an eye on it because it may fill up again and drain.

What you can do for now is buy some saline solution-preservative free, and use that to rinse out the hole if she allows you to do it.

This really is necessary since she will probably always lick at it and dry it out.

Wounds need moisture in order to heal and if a wound is too dry it simply will not heal.

Let it dry and dab some neosporin in it.  Keep her busy so it absorbs because she will start to lick it soon as she gets a free moment.

If you want, you can make your own saline solution at home.
The instructions are as follows"

Using a clean jar with a screw on lid, add 1/4 tsp. of non-iodized table salt to one cup of water. Screw on the lid (keep it loose) and place the jar into a sauce pan. Fill the sauce pan with enough water to cover 3/4 of the jar. Cover and boil for 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and give the jar time to cool. After it is cool, go ahead and tighten the lid. Refrigerate and keep it refrigerated after use.  You can warm it up to room temp or luke warm when using it for her wounds. You can keep the homemade solution for about a week .

Hope this helps....it should clear up but if not, please let me know. I would give it a few days to start healing over but if it gets worse, please contact a vet ASAP.

take care

Sandy