Help My pika! - Lumpy incision? 7/4/11

[jorats]

Now where's the real mcCoy? lol

That incision looks great! I'm glad she's back in the hood.

 

[Godmother]

Nice to see such a healthy incision and a happy group shot!

 

[hopefloats]

her sided back closer to her back leg are sunk in when she walks, she has lost a lot of weight. I shoudl of asked how much she weighed, because you can feel how soft and mushy her stomach is if you know what i mean. I am not sure what she should look like after a spay, if it stays normal looking or if sinking in/loosing weight is expected?

she is hell to get a picture but you can see the indent on the side by the cage

 

[hopefloats]

like her belly dropped, lol

 

[jorats]

She looks good in the pic but the sucking in the sides could be some tummy pains.

 

[hopefloats]

what is normal time frame for pain? how many days after should I stop seeing signs of pain?

She runs around like crazy and she eats when I tempt her with good stuff but i think she isnt eating like she should

 

[lilspaz68]

Up to 3 days for cramping after a spay. How much metacam are you giving her?

Also, it might be a good idea to invest in a small digital scale. Weigh your rats once a month, and keep records. Then you would know if there's issues starting etc. You can get them quite cheaply. I have a Pelouze postal scale from Staples or Business Depot, have been using it for years and its been invaluable.

 

[mamarat]

Pika looks good, she will gain weight as she gets better too. I love the last pic of all the girls.

 

[hopefloats]

I just got her back out, for her meds, and she is doing the owie stretches again.
i dont think she is in as much pain as she was, she is allowing the rats to pin her. and not fighting like she was.

That is the picture of her incision today... one thing we dont have is an emergency clinic that will look at rats. Remind me to only have surgeries done on mondays..

 

[hopefloats]

and she isnt screaming in pain when one of the others step on her, or biting me like mad, in fact she is rather licky today............

 

[lilspaz68]

give her the metacam and she should be just fine NOW I wanna see her cute face and see if she's relaxed or still worried looking

 

[hopefloats]

My mind says she is ok, my heart is still heartbroken over toby, freaks out LOL

Here is pika in her, Yes I will submit pose, which is what she always does to them all.

Pika hanging out with all my Pews LOL I tried for a long time to get a shot of lucy, eleanor, algernon and Isis (actually a beige hooded), never could get one.

Pika's ears forward wondering how she can get off the table.

 

[hopefloats]

I guess her face does say more than the owie stretches lol

 

[Joanne]

She looks pretty bright to me! Remember it IS abdominal surgery, and if Pika were a human, she would still be in bed, with a trip to the bathroom being very uncomfortable and a major ordeal. People are out 4-6 weeks for abdominal surgery, so a bit of discomfort is normal. Animals just suck it up - we humans are the wimpy ones....

 

[hopefloats]

She looks pretty bright to me! Remember it IS abdominal surgery, and if Pika were a human, she would still be in bed, with a trip to the bathroom being very uncomfortable and a major ordeal. People are out 4-6 weeks for abdominal surgery, so a bit of discomfort is normal. Animals just suck it up - we humans are the wimpy ones....

Thank you, it is my first spay so i am worried I will miss a major sign, but I know that is from loosing Toby. I see the owie stretches and I think pain, bad, lol not expected pain. That puts it more into perspective.

 

[eagle]

Her incision still looks great and some pain afterwards is to be expected. You are going great mom just breath. :hugs:

 

[jorats]

She's looking really good.

 

[hopefloats]

It has a bit of opening happening? I am unsure how to check or what to look for that would be bad.

Here is her in action, she acts fine, no owie stretches since that last time, yesterday I think............had me working goofy hours so my days are running together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REjD8o0B ... C&index=34

 

[Joanne]

She looks good in the video. I would just monitor the area. My girl Penelope chewed her stitches out, and then chewed the glue open, so we left it open. It took about a week for it to heal. As long as the muscle layer is intact, she should be fine. It doesn't look completely open so just keep her out of stuff like wood chips that could stick in the incision.

 

[hopefloats]

I dont know if one of the other rats did it to her or not......It kind looks like teeth scratch marks on the side.


Should i wash the area with anything? she is still on baytril but I guess she could still get an infection ? changed all the hammocks and flooring today so hopefully it will scab up for something;.........