Abscess or otherwise? (Update page 3)

[Exodog]

SO
I'm over at Allan's place for he first time in a while, and when I gave Moog a quick once-over, I noticed a definite lump on his abdomen. There's a bit of a bluish tinge to a portion of it, but I'm not too sure that it shows up on the pictures too well.
He's also got what sounds to be a URI.
:worry:
He has a vet appointment on the 22nd already, but until then what's the best thing to do?

 

[MomRat]

Looks like an abscess to me. Our boys had them there several times, both post neuter and accidental scuffle injury/abscess. You can do hot damp compresses or sitsbath soaks to get it to open up.

 

[lilspaz68]

Looks like an abscess to me. Our boys had them there several times, both post neuter and accidental scuffle injury/abscess. You can do hot damp compresses or sitsbath soaks to get it to open up.

Moog lives alone Angel, so there's no way there's any scuffle injuries here.

I would say its a tumor at his age, but with that and the URI I would NOT wait until the 22nd for his vet appointment, I would go sooner.

 

[victoria]

I don't have a lot of experience with abscesses, but with tumours that's a different story. If it's purple/blue it could be a tumour with blood building up around it. I have one of those now and they suck. I would definitely try a compress and possibly abs first to rule out an abscess.

ETA: Shelagh was faster.

ETA #2: If he has a URI at his age, go to the vet tomorrow. It is scary how fast older rats can decline when sick.

 

[MomRat]

Would compresses hurt it if it is a tumor and not an abscess? Our boy Gregory had a neuter abscess that took 4 months to present, I never leave out a possibility, and for 'things to do until they can get him to a vet,' compresses would be one option, just in case its not a tumor. =/

 

[Exodog]

Moog lives alone Angel, so there's no way there's any scuffle injuries here.

I would say its a tumor at his age, but with that and the URI I would NOT wait until the 22nd for his vet appointment, I would go sooner.

It's entirely possible he could have done it somehow during free range time.
I'll tell Allan to start hot compress right away, can't hurt to try it. How often and for how long per time should it be done?

I would move the appointment up, but my vet is out of town next week and it was the closest I could book anything.

 

[victoria]

Find another vet.... this qualifies as an emergency. Old rats with respiratory infections need medical attention very quickly. The more I think about it, that lump sounds like a tumour. An abscess can be dark but it would be more black, purple/blue indicates blood buildup.

 

[Exodog]

The blue is only in one small area, not the whole thing; probably should have specified earlier.

 

[Exodog]

Is there anywhere decently affordable in Guelph I can take him? My vet's pricing is excellent ($15 for a check-up), and with the upcoming neuter and checks for all the other rats, we can't really go breaking the bank right this second.

 

[victoria]

Not sure about vets (that's an amazing price, I doubt you'll find anything as cheap) but the blue would be blood pooling around a tumour, so not all of it would be blue.

 

[lizmo1221]

My vet at Guelph Animal Hospital, Dr. Rene Fleming is great and definitely affordable (when it comes to the exam fee and meds at least, never had anything else done with them yet). Last week I called to make an appt for a URI and she was able to see me within an hour. They are also open seven days a week. I would call them first thing tomorrow morning.

ETA: just noticed that your vet charges 15 bucks for a check up. Dr. Fleming isn't as low ($60 exam fee) but that is way less than a lot of other vets I have checked out.

 

[xxchelle]

Dr. Renee Fleming at Guelph Animal Hospital is good with rats and knows proper med info for URIs. They're not exactly cheap, but they're not expensive either. I think they're reasonably priced. Frankly, at this point, I'd take what you can get, because as Victoria says, this is an emergency.

 

[victoria]

Not sure if the vet Liz suggested is on here, but this is a good list of exotics mammal vets: http://www.aemv.org/vetlist.cfm (select Canada.) I'm sure there are many good vets not on there, but I have seen two of the vets on that list and would recommend either of them. There are two in Guelph, it's a starting point if Liz's vet doesn't pan out.

 

[Exodog]

Thanks guys.
I'll look into some of the ones on the list, as well as the suggested ones here. Even still though, he won't be able to get in until Tuesday at the very earliest, because Allan works a good deal and can't get tomorrow off to transport Moog. I'll talk to Allan tomorrow and see when works for him.

 

[Exodog]

UPDATE:

I called my vet office to give them a heads up about Moog (and also because Neon has started 'chirping' suddenly). They said that the other doctor can take a look at Moog if we want to bring him in, so now it's a matter of convincing Allan that this is actually an emergency. He doesn't seem to understand why I'm "rushing" him to go to the vets when we already have an appointment next week.
:wallbang:
I don't think he understands just how serious this is. When the ladies grew ill, they lived out their last days with me, because I was better suited to give them the necessary care and access to a vet. He didn't actually experience the rapid decline first-hand. I'm worried for Moog.
Until I can pester him enough to get him to bring Moog here, I've been spamming his cell phone with texts about how to keep an eye on Moog, things he can do to help ease any discomfort, what he should do should anything change about his condition (bring him in -immediately-), etc.
Hopefully he gets fed up with the incessant stream for rat care tips, listens to me, and brings Moog in.


Allan's stubbornness aside; the vet in place of Dr. Harris this week does not know as much about rats. What basic and useful information should I bring to her attention in regards to treating a URI and an abscess/tumour? Any tips are much appreciated!

 

[Exodog]

Advice please?

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

See Dr. Renee Fleming at Guelph Animal Hospital she has experience with rats.

 

[Exodog]

See Dr. Renee Fleming at Guelph Animal Hospital she has experience with rats.

I meant more for what to tell the stand-in vet, but thanks.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I don't see the point in going to the "stand in" vet when you have access to an experienced vet.

 

[Exodog]

I don't see the point in going to the "stand in" vet when you have access to an experienced vet.

While I appreciate your opinion, with the upcoming neuter and vet costs for all of my rats, it's the most affordable and easiest option for me. She does have experience with rats, but it's not as extensive as my usual doctor, because he usually handles the ones that go through the clinic. I just want some backup information to go in with should she be at a loss for what medications/doses to prescribe.