cyst thingy

Question
i was wondering if i got all the pus out of a cyst type thing on my ratties neck and keep it super clean will she need medicine. we have no exotic vets here  and  my regular vet wont even see my rat.

to get to a vet would be like traveling 3 hours or better.   thanks for any advice. marie

Answer
Hi Marie

You must be talking about an abscess. I am guessing that it burst and pus is coming out, correct?  

First you need to have the right implements to clean it. Never use peroxide because it will damage delicate tissue and it burns, we both know that.  What you can do to clean it is irrigate it using a syringe and saline solution and pack it with plain neosporin. You can buy other cleaning agents safe for rats such as diluted betadine solution but to be honest, saline solution is best. If it is sterile contact lens solution be sure it is free of additives and preservatives before using.

You can also make your own saline solution:

16 ounces of distilled water
1 teaspoon table salt

You can boil the water if you want to make it sterile but the wound your treating is NOT sterile so it doesn't really make a bit of difference. If you do boil the water be sure it is cool to room temp before using!!

Give it another chance to fill up and burst again and if you are helping it along, be sure to apply gentle pressure at the very base of the abscess so that the bacteria does not go back into the abscess and go into the body.
How big is the abscess?  What color is the pus, yellowish or green?
If it is green I will say she needs a vet. This type of bacteria is dangerous and can cause sepsis pretty fast so she would need systemic antibiotics such as bactrim to help clear it up.  It it is white or yellow, you can keep it clean but watch it closely. All in all it will eventually close up and you will never know anything was there.

So, my final answer would be that if you keep it clean (the rat will help, trust me!) and doesn't come back again, she should be fine, but if it comes back or the pus is green she needs seen right away. I may be able to find a vet closer to you than 3 hours because there will be a time she may need a vet and its best to have one ready.


Hope this helps and good luck!

Sandy