I can't affort to go to a vet right now and I don't want her(my rat) to get worse because I know abcesses can be really uncomfortable if not painful. are there anythings i cna do until i can scrape together some cash forthe vet?
2006-12-15 04:10:50 · 6 answers · asked by antair_x13 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
If it costs about thirty dollars to get the abscess cleaned at the vet, and your rat costs ten, going to the vet is a straight monetary loss.
If that's what you're thinking, read on.
First, make sure the abscess isn't actually a hernia. Common hernia sites are around the navel and the pelvis. If you can push on the lump in such a way that it disappears into her stomach, it's a hernia. Hernias can block the digestive system, get cut off and die, and kill the rat, unless they are surgically repaired.Shine a flashlight through it. If the light comes through red, it's full of blood, and the rat will bleed to death if you cut into it. Only go ahead if it's actually an abscess, filled with pus or water.
To lance the abscess yourself, you'll have to cut your rat. To do this, you'll have to hold her still somehow, in such a way that she can't possibly wiggle out of her restraint and bite you. I'll let you figure that one out. Maybe a hand towel and a helper.
First, get some Q-tips and cotton balls, a plastic bag, tweezers, a brand-new straight razor blade or Exacto knife, baby's teething gel, and some rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. Restrain the rat. Rub teething gel thickly on the abscess and give it a minute to soak in and numb it. Wipe down the abscess, the area around it, your fingers, the tweezers, and the razor blade with rubbing alcohol. Try not to get the gel on your fingers. Make two long cuts all the way across the abscess, so it looks like an X. If it's full of pus, squeeze everything into a paper towel or cotton ball and throw it in the plastic bag. Try to cut the abscess's outer wall all the way down, using the tweezers to hold the skin flap up if you're having trouble. If the abscess was full of pus, take a Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide and wipe out all the corners of the abscess to get rid of the infection. Wipe everything down with hydrogen peroxide again.
Put your rat into a clean cage, preferably with a bleached and rinsed wire floor instead of shavings, so she doesn't have to worry about anything getting stuck in her wound. Give her all her toys for comfort, if you had to move her into a new cage. Keep her in a quiet place, and check on the wound often until it heals.
2006-12-15 08:39:57 · answer #1 · answered by Rachel R 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Find an animals charity that might help.
In the UK there is the PDSA that will help any person that is on benefits to get their animals treated.
It would cost about £30.00 in the UK to have this abcess drained at the vets.
PDSA means peoples dispensary for sick animals.
2006-12-15 04:15:52 · answer #2 · answered by stevehart53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know your local but ring a vet and explain your situation as most will let you pay them off as it may not be an abcesses but a tumour which is common in rats and needs to be removed asap
2006-12-15 04:55:57 · answer #3 · answered by Magpie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call local vets and ask them what you should do and tell them about your situation- more than likely they'll help if they like their job and care for animals.
As for what the blondie lady said- bag balm doesn't help for absesses- it's just for dry skin and sores- helps heal them. Also talk with a local pet store- maybe they have some ideas.
2006-12-15 04:30:29 · answer #4 · answered by answers4questions 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Abscesses don't get better on their own, unfortunately. You need to see the vet. Borrow money if needed. You could at least call your vet and ask what they recommend in the meantime.
2006-12-15 06:08:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i heard that this stuff called bag balm will hep with almost anything you can goto a store and ask..
2006-12-15 04:15:45 · answer #6 · answered by ♥bLoNdIe♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋