injured rat?

Question

First of all- rat haters need not answer. That being said:

My friend has a pet rat that some how got a deep gash on its back. it's bloody and it looks painful. I've TRIED, and tried to talk her into taking it to the vet, and told her theres nothing she can do for it but she wont take it to the vet, because she says she cant afford it.

Is there anything she can do for him, other than taking him to the vet?

I dont think there is, and like ive already said, I've tried talking her into taking the poor thing to the vet but she wont. Ive had rats for years and usually know how to handle them but when something like this happens I dont try to fix it myself, I take them in to get professional help, so Im not sure how to handle this one.

Answer 1

Well first off there is nothing she can do for it and even if she takes it to the vet it will be costly. I breed rats and every so often I come across one just like this and if it is taken to the vet they clean it and then give meds but if it has been awhile before anything is done then there's nothing to do. When I get one like this I try to keep the wound clean with warm water and a very mild soap(baby soap), and then I usually put neosporan on it. Rats can get blood poisoning from a wound if it is not treated or cared for right away so if it has been more then 2-3 days then the infection has already gone through the body. If a wound is not cared for at first sight and is left for more then 3 days then the best thing to do is to put the rat down. I know you don't want to hear this but you need to know the facts and that rats don't live very long. It is hard to accept that but I go through this all the time with mine. I love my rats and when I get one that has this then I usually don't try to heal it I will take to the vet for it to be put down because the longer you leave the wound the worse it will be for the rat. Taking a rat to the vet is expensive that is why I tell people to just have them put down because it will be easier for the owner and getting rid of the pain that the rat is feeling.

But if you want to try to save the rat then you can tell her she can clean the wound with warm water and a very mild soap(baby soap) and then a little bit of peroxide to get the debris out and then put some neosporan ointment on it. This should be done every day at least 2 times a day to get it to heal faster. Now if this doesn't work then the other option is to have the rat put down because this will be torture for the poor thing. But the way it sounds is that it is an absece wound from a fight or an old wound that never healed. Rats are very prone to getting these and they are not very pleasant to see. Well good luck and I hope the rat gets better. I will be praying for all of you.

Answer 2

I have two male rats that I had to seperate because the same thing happened to one of them. They were fighting I guess. He had a big slice on his back! I let them together sometimes now, but only if I watch them, they get a long great but I still don't trust em! I guess if your friend doesn't want to take this rat to the vet, which he should, but I totally understand about the money situation, It's sooo important to clean out the wound regularly, I would use betadine.

Answer 3

i would clean the wound maybe with peroxide but i dont know if thats something you should put on a rat but it needs to be cleaned with at least soap and water then apply the peroxide and some neospyrin. i know its hard to take a rat to the vet but since its hurt if the infection gets worse or doesnt start healing go to the vet
and remove what caused the injury look around its home ,cage
and see if there is anything it could of hurt itself on then remove it if its something like a wheel replace it with a better safer wheel
good luck

Answer 4

Hate to assert it, yet 2 years is approximately conventional for a puppy rat. considering that his brother already exceeded, that's a superb indication he won't have lots time left. it is not uncommon for rodent siblings to pass interior weeks or months of one yet another if previous age is a ingredient! you are able to evaluate that he's previous and that the skill of bringing a beginner in would be time ingesting and annoying. some weeks for the quarantine, yet another week or 2 (or extra) for the intro.... then the strain of a sparkling buddy and the replace. Plus a youthful rat may well be too lots skill for an older rat, yet another older rat won't be sociable sufficient (counting on how long it is been solo, assuming that's.) that's a toss up. yet at his age i'd say it is not a dire could get him a chum except you notice that he's extremely unhappy as time passes on. that's in basic terms my opinion, however - i've got been in this occasion with gerbils and that i've got been sucked into loops as quickly as I had to swap an older gerbil with a puppy for the surviving cage mate. Cage mate exceeded on and leaves a teenager I could get yet another puppy for. that's a vicious cycle while you're actually not careful. in case you % to get yet another rat, wait 2-3 weeks. save an eye fixed on your surviving boy to make effective he's not ill (IE that his brother did not pass from a communicable ailment.) it does not harm to have a vet verify him over, the two, on the tip of the two-3 weeks to guarantee wellbeing. If he's shy then i'd get a smaller (yet not needed youthful) male this is submissive (IE not a bully.) consult from rat rescues and notice if any can assist you to locate a RESCUE that ought to do properly with your boy. a newborn would in all probability be too lots for him in all senses!

Answer 5

go to the health food store and get some golden seel. you can sprinkle a little bit of the caplet in it to help along the healing process. make sure she keeps it clean and if she is using shavings she may want to switch to a paper bedding.

Answer 6

MMmmm Well you can try to stitching it up your self? if you have any anesthesia that would help. The main thing you want to do is get it stitched, clean and keep it from picking it until it heals.. That's what I would do..

Answer 7

Theres nothing really you can do for it
just keep checking the wound for infections and hope it clears up soon!