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?