Broken bone in Mr. Honeycomb's foot?

[M0onkist]

I saw this once before in Princess, by means of localized swelling near the foot/ankle. However, while Princess' swelling was a lot larger, Mr. Honeycomb's seems very specific. He doesn't notice ANY pain (I've tried to gently press on it, and I get no reaction whatsoever). He's not picking up his foot or dragging it at all, he seems to be using it perfectly normally, except for the hard bulge (and it does seem hard, maybe like a bone broke then healed wrong?).

I don't think there's anything I can do, and I certainly don't want to do what the BAD VET made me do for Princess (anaesthetic and X-ray, only to tell me she had arthritis). But I want to hear from you guys. I can post pictures if you want.

 

[mamarat]

Pics would help.

 

[lilspaz68]

I am glad he has full mobility and no obvious pain, those are all great signs. :thumbup:

I second the pics request

 

[M0onkist]

Why are we dangling me?!?!






Oh, the indignity!!

 

[mamarat]

His foot looks swollen on the top and bottom? I thought at first the beginning of bumblefoot, but I'll wait for the experts on here.

BTW Mr Honeycomb is a cutie.

 

[ryelle]

I thought the same as Mamarat seeing the pink sore and the slight swelling on the underneath but the swelling on the top of the foot has me stumped. Could it be the beginning of bumblefoot AND an infection? making the top of the foot swell?

 

[Rachael]

Oh, the indignity!!

That does look like the start of Bumblefoot.

And oh my god... that face. RPOM anybody? :heart:

 

[mamarat]

I'll second that, he's gorgeous.

 

[lilspaz68]

I see a slight pressure sore developing on his sole, he IS a rather large boy so its to be expected, :cheeky: but the hard bone thing I have seen before. I never figured out what it was either, but it never bothered the rat or caused any issues so I just watched it.

 

[M0onkist]

He really is absolutely gorgeous and a real sweetie to boot (he did need snipping, but once that happened he turned into a loving ragdoll).

What should I be doing to prevent bumblefoot? Making sure the cage is always as clean as possible, I'm guessing? Should I be looking at or avoiding liners?

 

[Rachael]

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=13480&p=180143&hilit=Bumblefoot#p180143

It's early stages of it but I would probably still do the epsom salts with him.

 

[jorats]

I would say that looks like the beginning of bumblefoot. If you can, I'd get him on a diet and pad down the cage, try and avoid any hard surfaces for him.

 

[M0onkist]

What kind of diet is best?

Right now I'm feeding them both Living World lab blocks - the trick would be feeding the boys separately, as Chance is teensy-weensy and Mr. Honeycomb is biiiiig (before my scale died he was 16oz, I think?).

 

[jorats]

Diet is wrong choice of words.. what I mean is maybe try to exercise him more. I know it's hard but even the smallest things like getting him to climb boxes would help. Also, in keeping with the blocks give him lots of veggies so he loads up on those and not so hungry for blocks. Some rats love blocks so much they really overeat.

 

[M0onkist]

Doing the veggies and the epsom bath thingie. How often should I do the epsom mini-soak?

Also padded down the cage very thoroughly, so he should be much more comfy. Getting him to exercise is a bit harder - he doesn't do the play-hopping-running-around thing, just looks up at me to ask why on earth I'm trying to get him to move about. >.< Thinking a metaphorical carrot might work, like having him chase a feather.

 

[lilspaz68]

If he has a typical interest of a rat with a feather, then you may have your answer. New and scared or fat and lazy rats often will get really excited and chase the feather. Just like any exercise regime, take it slow and don't wear him out. Gradual weight loss is best :thumbup:

 

[M0onkist]

I'm more puzzled now than I was before... I tried playing with him with the feather, but the only time he reacts is if I tickle his whiskers with it - he doesn't track the feather if I move it away from him (Chance follows it like a bloodhound).

Dr. Munn mentioned before Mr. H's neutering that he had a cataract in his right eye - I'm wondering if he's going blind. There's no milkiness to either eye though, but he does startle easily if I pet him and he isn't expecting it (to not startle him, I usually put my hand right by his whiskers before petting).

 

[jorats]

Mr. H is still quite young isn't he?

 

[M0onkist]

He's 17 months old now - he was neutered when he was around 11 months old (which was when Dr. Munn saw the cataract thingie).

 

[jorats]

I guess it's not so much an age thing. Weird... Ah well, our rats age much too fast as it is.