Hey there,
So i just got a new rat last night, and his name is Gideon.
When i was holding him at the petstore, it looked like he had a little bit of blood underneath his toenail. I didn't examine it further, because he was wiggly, and it just looked like he had maybe scratched his cagemate.
But tonight i was looking at it closer, and i noticed that it is actually ripped halfway off at the base. Like the entire thing is barely connected to the toe.
He squeaks when i try to pick him up too, is that because his toe hurts, or is he just still scared of me??
He walks normal and everything.
What should i do?? Is there anything i can do to help him?? Will it eventually fall off?? Will this cause any damage??
2007-12-03 17:32:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
By the way, i appreciate how you noticed/said that he needs companionship!
But he's actually in quarantine right now, so in 2 weeks, he'll be in cage with 6 other males!! Thank you tho! :-)
2007-12-03 17:58:04 · update #1
In case you're interested, here's 2 pics of me and him. Aint he cute? I on the other hand, look like crap, but oh well. It's 1 in the morning and i don't care lol.
:-)
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/blondie80389/MeandGideon2.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/blondie80389/MeandGideon5.jpg
2007-12-03 18:50:44 · update #2
Oh, the poor little thing! I'm sure it's VERY painful for him. Take him back to the pet store and see if anyone there is qualified to take the toenail the rest of the way off -- or better yet, if they will pay for you to bring him to a vet.
DO NOT leave him at the pet store! If they will not help you, you will have to bring him to a vet yourself. Unless YOU are brave enough to clip it off -- but I don't advise that, he might bite.
If it bleeds you can use cornstarch or flour to stop the bleeding. Just stick his whole toe into the flour.
The toenail will grow back, he'll be fine. Handle him as much as you can, without causing him pain. Maybe just sit on a chair and let him walk around you a little bit.
Good luck!
Oh -- rats NEED company. The company of other rats. PLEASE go back and buy another male rat.
2007-12-03 17:48:59 · answer #1 · answered by luvrats 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A former rat I had ripped his toenail. It bled like crazy for a while, but eventually it clotted and he was fine. For the rest of his life, that one toenail was a bit darker than the others, but that was the only lasting effect. In my case, the nail did not fall off. He didn't like it when I tried to touch his foot, but he walked and acted normally. However, in your case it sounds like the nail might fall off. I say, as long as he's still walking fine, he should be okay with it. If it doesn't clot, pet stores usually have a clotting agent (near the dog clippers) or you can use corn starch.
I wouldn't worry about it excessively. Just keep an eye on it in case there are changes that don't look good. It sounds like you really care about your pets. Good for you! I'm a rat lover too! Aren't they addicting?
2007-12-04 13:39:32 · answer #2 · answered by SurrepTRIXus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The toe nail will fall off eventually but until he grows another one try not to pick him up but let him climb on you so that he isn't scared of you. when picking him up try not to pick his leg up let him do that for you. this will be better for him as it won't him as you lift your hand but try and make sure he doesn't try and grip the floor.
there is nothing you can do about it because if you pull it off you could tear off some skin of the foot and it might cause infection in his foot
2007-12-04 09:44:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh,,,so poor thing
hope it will b fine soon
2007-12-04 07:04:38 · answer #4 · answered by rajender k 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋