Another Neuter - Healing Time

hopefloats · Aug 21, 2012

The whole thing is, when they rip out glue it just makes a hole, the same thing with stitches. When the pull out staples, it will rip and tear their skin. They will not remove them how they should be removed. And just because some boys do it does not mean all will do it. I have have 47 surgeries now. Only a handful have messed with them, it was from stitches being used before i put the no stitches or staple rule in effect with my vet or from the pica behavior which will make them chew on anything. I would take the lesser of the 3 evils and with this, glue it is. The damage from pulling those out as it starts to heal and gets tighter feeling can be unreal. Imagine ripping an earring out of your ear, straight down, that is what a staple can do.

EDK · Aug 21, 2012

Well sadly Hopefloats, the staples are there to stay as I can't take them out now. We have to wait at least 7 days before we can take them out. Ironically two of the staples appeared to have fallen out on their own, with no signs of rip or tear, but the incision has stayed together due to the glue. So at least on the brighter side he's not messing with the incision area and isn't in pain or too frustrated with it. But I see your point and in the future I will have my vet not use the staples method.

EDK · Aug 22, 2012

Day two of healing, and Gizmo staples seem to have fallen out on their own, that or he's messed with them in such a way that it has caused no damage because the incision area is still closed and clean looking! So I'm relieved with that. I still don't allow him to play or climb around right now for the sake that his incisions stay closed, but I have moved him back to the big cage so he can heal with his brothers. I'm so happy he's not really messing with his incision area, which means I think we're out of the dark part of the woods now! Very happy about that. There's one more staple left in the incision area on him however, and most likely he's gonna work it out too on his own, which I don't. So that's all I got to report for now. Those healing vibes really work keep sending them all!

jorats · Aug 22, 2012

He's healing, that's what counts. Some vets like the staples because it keeps it closed and I'm sure it works well on some rats. Most of us have horror stories with staples. But I'm glad he's doing great with his.

Joanne · Aug 22, 2012

How great to hear you may have an easy one! Keep healing Gizmo!

EDK · Aug 24, 2012

Last staple caused a problem defiently Jorats, forcing us to remove it early in advanced with assistance of my vet yesterday. Don't worry all is well, but I can see how the horror stories come about with staples :cry:

Yesterday his last staple got hooked on my clothes while he was sitting on my lap, he paniced and tried to chew it off. Luckily rather then me actually flipping out, I stayed calm, and cut the fabric free of the staple with my handy dandy pocket knife. No harm no fowl other then he was very uncomfortable from the ordeal, but can't blame him for that. So we went to the vet to have it removed.

This morning Gizmo is fine, as if yesterday never happened, his incision area is still closed and healthy. It was swollen from last night's ordeal, but it has clearly reduced this morning. Only one thing I hope to be getting on the mends for him now, and that's his behavior: He's still picking on Nes and Gyro, still tackling and rough grooming them. But I suppose this is due to his hormones are still not down, he's still annoyed what happened on Monday and the vet did say he was a very 'proud' male before he was neutered. So I guess I just have to wait and see?

Other then that, he's healing fine everyone, thanks :dance: