Big scab coming off...what to do?

[Almarine]

Alcazar is acting like he feels much better. He sprained his ankle about a week and a bit ago. He'd had a tiny lump on the same side as the sprain that we'd been keeping an eye on since his last vet visit (early March). Once the sprain cleared up, and he was ready to be loved and handled again, I noticed that the lump had gotten huge (about an inch in diameter). I was going to call the vet in the morning, but when I saw him it was gone and he had a scab in its place.
Now the scab is hanging by a few hairs, and what lies beneath...well, I don't know what to make of it or what to do. I thought scabs fell off when the skin beneath healed... Here's a picture to clarify a bit (sorry that it's not great, Alcazar doesn't like us poking around the scab. I pulled the scab away from the skin so you could see the stuff underneath--otherwise the scab is like a flap down over it.)

Any insight would be appreciated. My regular vet is out on maternity leave, and I want to make sure I know exactly what's going on before I deal with the replacement vet on this. (if it is in fact something I'll need a vet to look at)

 

[lilspaz68]

Looks like an abscess to me, cheesy pus inside?

 

[Almarine]

I don't know if it's pus, it looks more like a shiny dry lump of snot. The colour on the pic is actually quite accurate. I'd also like to add that the wound area smells 'wrong'...kind of sour. I'm not very good at describing smells. :?

(edited to add the smell info)

 

[lilspaz68]

I don't know if it's pus, it looks more like a shiny dry lump of snot. The colour on the pic is actually quite accurate.

Someone needs to examine it more. Can you cut the dead scab off?

 

[Almarine]

I'm hesitant to remove the scab as a big clump of fur is entangled in it. But I was thinking about trying to trim away the fur around the wound, to keep things a bit cleaner. I'll try to get a better pic then.
I'm also wondering if I should isolate him from the rest of the colony? Should I take out the fleece bedding materials and put him on paper towels? This is freaking me out a bit, and I'm struggling to think straight about it. Right now, he's in bed with my hubby (on clean sheets), snoozing. I wish I could be so relaxed! I'll post another pic when I've cleared the 'viewing area' a bit more.

 

[Almarine]

here's the best view I can get on it.

 

[lilspaz68]

I'm hesitant to remove the scab as a big clump of fur is entangled in it. But I was thinking about trying to trim away the fur around the wound, to keep things a bit cleaner. I'll try to get a better pic then.
I'm also wondering if I should isolate him from the rest of the colony? Should I take out the fleece bedding materials and put him on paper towels? This is freaking me out a bit, and I'm struggling to think straight about it. Right now, he's in bed with my hubby (on clean sheets), snoozing. I wish I could be so relaxed! I'll post another pic when I've cleared the 'viewing area' a bit more.

If its dried up old pus, then I wouldn't worry about separating out, etc The sprain may have resulted from jumping sideways from a bite (hence the abscess)...

 

[Almarine]

Is there anything I should be doing about the abscess? I read a bit on the "rat report" about it, but I'd like to fact check the info with you guys. (it seems pretty logical to me. I'd do this to myself for an infected cut) If this information is correct, it looks like I wouldn't need to see the vet to treat Alcazar properly.

apply a hot compress
gently wiping out all the pus with a cotton swab. (this would be hard, considering it's pretty dry)
use Bactine if the area is tender
flush the wound with Betadine diluted with 5 parts water or hydrogen peroxide diluted with 10 parts water, using a syringe without a needle.
put a tiny dab of antibiotic cream (such as Neosporin Plus) inside the pocket, spreading it evenly with a cotton swab.
Repeat the hot compress soak, cleaning, and antibiotic ointment twice daily if an abscess is open, but doesn’t heal right away.

Are those steps the right way to go?

 

[lilspaz68]

*eek*

NO ointment with abscesses...it encourages healing, and you might be healing over some bacteria still inside.

With that I would flush with an isotonic saline solution (you can google how to make it with table salt and warm water), and that should soften that hardness if it is pus. Can you smell it? Does it smell like pus, even if only faintly because it is dry?

 

[Almarine]

I promise, no ointment will be used on the abscess!

So just the isotonic saline solution? Or is that in addition to the other things?

Yes it smells. It's certainly not a ratty smell, but I've never smelled pus before. It's a sour smell.

 

[lilspaz68]

I promise, no ointment will be used on the abscess!

So just the isotonic saline solution? Or is that in addition to the other things?

Yes it smells. It's certainly not a ratty smell, but I've never smelled pus before. It's a sour smell.

yep its likely dried pus then...use the solution twice a day...mix it up then using a medicating syringe flush it right out as much as he will allow...wear long sleeves and expect an unhappy rat. Hopefully that will soften it up so it can be removed.

 

[Almarine]

Firstly, thank you so much for walking me through this thus far!

Hopefully that will soften it up so it can be removed.

Will he remove it himself? Or will it gradually wash away with the twice daily saline flush? Or will I have to go in there and 'dig' it out for him? :sick2:

I'm off to make saline solution!

 

[lilspaz68]

Firstly, thank you so much for walking me through this thus far!

Hopefully that will soften it up so it can be removed.

Will he remove it himself? Or will it gradually wash away with the twice daily saline flush? Or will I have to go in there and 'dig' it out for him? :sick2:

I'm off to make saline solution!

All depends on how it reacts
it could be hard pus that is attached to the walls of the cavity and softening it (like a scab) will get it to release.

Your welcome