Blood has been drawn

Samii · Dec 7, 2014

My boys got in a fight today and Luffy ended up getting a small bite or scratch on his foot. I thought he was hurt really bad because there was blood everywhere. Once I got him in a towel, cause that's the only way he'll let me hold him, I saw the cut and it's not very bad and stopped bleeding relatively fast. But geez, he bled like a stuck pig. :/

I didn't expect Luffy to be the one to get hurt. He's always the one puffing himself up and bullying Simon and he was the one who got hurt. They haven't hurt each other until now, so a neutering has to happen soon before this happens again. I feel so bad for him, but I know he's the one who starts these things.

Sigh, I feel like I'm failing as a rat mom. :c

Is there anything I should do for him? I know a lot of you use Veterycin(or whatever it's called) and that's pretty much all. They're going to the vet tomorrow so I'll have the doctor look at it, but I think it's minor.

Joanne · Dec 7, 2014

Do not put anything on it if it's in a spot where he can reach it. He will keep it clean himself.
Intros are a bugger, that's for sure. I have been working on them for weeks and weeks and it is still not to the point of move in. If you can do neuters, then that may help a lot.

Samii · Dec 7, 2014

He can reach it, so I'll leave it alone. He's keeping being very careful when using that paw but I think it's just irritated and new.

I thought they were already acquainted with each other, cause I got them from the same batch but looks like they have some issues. Luffy is the angry one and Simon is full of energy. Guess they're not a good match. I originally planned on getting Luffy and his dumbo brother but that plan got foiled. They would have gotten along much better. :/

They've been living together ever since I got them, but they still have disagreements. I plan on neutering them as soon as I can get the money, which will probably be after Christmas. That was the first time blood was drawn though. It doesn't seem like there is much else I can do besides neuter them. They already live together.

jorats · Dec 8, 2014

I would leave it alone, rats heal incredibly fast. Good thing is though a cut on the foot is harmless. Usually an oops thing. I would keep doing intros. And maybe intervene a little more when the boys go near each other. Like redirect their attention when they head near each other.

Samii · Dec 8, 2014

How do you do intros with rats who already live together? The fight happened in their cage. Simon gets excited when I get home and then he wants to play with Luffy and Luffy gets mad. This time, Simon said "No! You shall not bully me."

jorats · Dec 10, 2014

Oh, I thought this happened during intros. Sorry!
In colonies, there will always be scuffles. I let them work it out even if I find a cut here or there, as long as it's nothing major.