This morning I awoke to find the ankle on my male rat's left back leg horribly swollen. He won't walk on it, though he only seems bothered by it when it is straight. I'm very worried, and not sure what to do. There are no bones protruding anywhere; the swelling is very consistent the whole was around his ankle.
If there is anything a vet could do(other than just tell me that he sprained it) I have no problems taking him. But he is still young(around 11 weeks, I believe) so I don't know what all could be done for him.
Does any one have advice on ways to help him myself, or should I just go ahead and take him? About what would the cost be of having him checked out?
Any help at all would be really appreciated, I'm very worried about my little boy...
2007-11-18 10:45:39 · 4 answers · asked by Toni S 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
My main concern is that, because he is so young, there may be permanent damage caused. I don't want him to favor it the rest of his life...or learn to walk strangely on it causing bad muscle structure and then giving him knee/hip problems...
I'm probably just being a paranoid Mom...but I want to do everything I can for him.
2007-11-18 12:52:41 · update #1
I agree with the first dragon a vet can only help with antibiotics even if it is broken they can't do anything without risking worse damage, I recommend looking to see if it is a infection and if it is not just wait to see if it gets better if it looks like it is getting worse or not better at all take him to the vet they may not be able to fix it but they will know what to do to help your little ratitata.
2007-11-18 13:27:44 · answer #1 · answered by Miss Maranda Marie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fortunately, rats have 4 feet and can get along fine with 3.
Is the swelling very hot, like an infection, or only reasonably warm, like a sprain? If it looks like an infection, I believe you can get antibiotics at the pet store for rodents; and you will need to.
If it's a sprain though, no treatment is needed. The rat will favor that leg until it gets better, and will start using it again when appropriate.
2007-11-18 20:04:47 · answer #2 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to take him to the vet right away. They might be able to put a cast on it. I've known rat and mice that have sprained their ankles and ended up dying because they didn't see a vet. if you really don't want to take him, or want more info got to www.ratguide.com
Hope he gets better!
2007-11-19 14:27:27 · answer #3 · answered by IamCat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe put him in a smaller cage/box for a few days at least just to let him rest it with alot of bedding so it's comfy for him
good luck
2007-11-19 03:11:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋