Rat vet...

[GoldSheep]

So in addition to snakes I have some pet rats. I kinda quit breeding rats.

I'm down to 9, which is good since they are the last batch before I get out of owning rats.

I have a rat that had an ulcer on the skin. She started chewing on it. So I took her to a vet.

The vet did surgery, cleaned her up and she healed completely and her fur grew back. It cost a fair amount of money. I gave her the meds and everything.

Then about three days ago, she discovered the end of a stitch that was supposed to be absorbed into the skin. She tugged on it. (even though everything is healed up) and reopened the wound, a small one. (The vet didn't say anything about stitches needing to be removed. And said it should be fine.)

I gave her leftover pain meds, disinfected the area the best I could, and put something bitter on the area so she wouldn't chew it. It started out as a minor injury. I separated her from the other rats too. (She really doesn't mind...)

But then even though I kept on top of it, she's still been chewing the area for no good reason. I mean I'm doing the same stuff as before when she was recovering from surgery and even separated her. She's learned she can scratch the area with her hind legs (which have short nails, but it isn't helping.) She's fairly smart, so it should figure that she figured a way around chewing it. (She scratches off the bitterness and then chews it. TT)

I tried to up her pain meds, but it's almost like she can't help it. (driving me nuts)

I think if the original vet used surgical glue wouldn't have had this problem at all. Rats tend to lick themselves. Chewing out stitches is common. (It's a rat, what do you expect?) It was negligence that made this happen. Exotic vets are hard to find... should I let the rat die, find another vet or trust the same vet again? (though if she has to have surgery again, I'm not sure I can trust actual stitches...)

She's about 2 years old now...

Advice?

[sissysnakes]

Let the rat die? I guess that is your choice, if it was my pet I wouldn't want to just let it die. It is hard to find a good exotic vet, we have a great one who cared for both our pet rats and helped us when our Skink got an infection. Rats are cognitive and social, it may be stressing her out to be separated from the others, though I can understand why you separated her. This could have an effect on her obsessive behavior.. Have most of the stitches been absorbed? if it is partially healed it may itch or sting so you might try something topical that would alleviate the discomfort or try wrapping it so she has a harder time getting to the stitches. I would call the vet who originally worked on her and ask for her opinion, then perhaps call a different one and get a second opinion before bringing it in.

[Pythonfriend]

i would say dont let it die.

try a different vet, or if the suffering gets worse and nothing can be done, have a vet or one of your snakes put it down or do that yourself. It shouldnt needlessly suffer. Just make sure to avoid giving a rat that is at the moment on medication to a snake.

i hope your pet rat recovers, but if it goes downhill i wouldnt just stand by.

[GoldSheep]

I really don't like seeing her in any pain. I'll probably bring her to another vet. I'm not sure I trust the first vet for a variety of reasons.

I spend a lot of time with her and do let the other rats see her, but supervise. (I don't want them making it worse)

I wish I could help her better... also it stresses her a lot to be on the bus (since I don't own a car)

[Sita]

As a vet tech for the past 5+ years, I don't think it was a bad job of the first vet. It is very common to use subcutaneous sutures to close a surgical site. It sounds like an end of the SubQ knot poked through the skin as it healed (which does happen sometimes), and she chewed herself open again getting at the rest of the suture. SubQ sutures are done with absorbable material, but it can take several weeks to months to fully dissolve. Surgical glue would've not made a difference and could be worse because she would've chewed at the glue and ripped it off.

I would call the vet and ask their advice. There are collars you can use on a rattie which makes it so they can't physical turn their heads to chew, kind of like a cervical brace on people. You can also wrap her foot in sports wrap or tape to keep her from scratching.

[Hipcheck2012]

As a vet tech for the past 5+ years, I don't think it was a bad job of the first vet. It is very common to use subcutaneous sutures to close a surgical site. It sounds like an end of the SubQ knot poked through the skin as it healed (which does happen sometimes), and she chewed herself open again getting at the rest of the suture. SubQ sutures are done with absorbable material, but it can take several weeks to months to fully dissolve. Surgical glue would've not made a difference and could be worse because she would've chewed at the glue and ripped it off. I would call the vet and ask their advice. There are collars you can use on a rattie which makes it so they can't physical turn their heads to chew, kind of like a cervical brace on people. You can also wrap her foot in sports wrap or tape to keep her from scratching.

Ditto! Another Vet Tech here.. We just removed a lump on a rat last week(second time for this particular rat) and the vet actually used one continuous suture on her to close. She didn't bother it at all and it's healing wonderfully. Just one example of a rat that didn't bother the suture.

My suggestion would be to take her back to the original vet.. If that subcutaneous suture is exposed enough they may actually be able to remove it, which would help relieve the itch.. Assuming the wound is small enough it can heal "open".

If not and they re-suture.. Insist on having a collar made or ask where you can get one.

[JohnNJ]

Make the choice that's best for you. In my eyes you have already gone above and beyond for a two year old rat. Kudos.

[GoldSheep]

I brought it to a second vet. I didn't feel the communication with the first vet was good. Second vet said that she'd developed mammory tumors. And it's likely the reason she chewed in the first place was because of the tumors developing, but they weren't visible. Since the new injury is near the urethra, the vet told me she couldn't be sure to operate. She can try to debulk the tumors, but my rat basically is a goner. ('cause they will likely redevelop and she's found methods to get out of chewing it.)

Since my rat is pretty active and healthy otherwise, it's pretty much a minimize her pain at this point ant wait.

The second vet gave her liquids and then more painkiller and more antibiotics.

Right now my rat is out and begging me to pick her up. =P

I'm sad, 'cause I thought she would survive another 2 years (I've had rats survive 4 years easy).... but now there is an open wound and no good way to fix it. She's pretty determined to chew the tumors out.

Sad at this point, but at least I can give her a good rest of her life by spoiling her rotten.

She was wagging her tail at the vet, when the vet was massaging her. Haha. The vet said that was the first time any rat did that. She relaxed after that.