Help! Ricky busted open his abcess incision!

[MaryCayden]

Ok I came home and rickys face wasn't as swollen so when I went to check him he was covered with green slime and it stinks! :sick2: Now what do I do?! I've got my gloves!

 

[mamarat]

Flush out the abscess and keep it dry and clean. You'll have to do that a couple of times a day. Good luck.

 

[MaryCayden]

Flush it out with what and how

 

[SQ]

Clean him up ....
Use a syringe without a needle to flush it out with warm water or a saline solution

Is he on antibiotics?

 

[mamarat]

Use lukewarm water with a bit of salt in it and since it's his face, use a face cloth and try to put lots of water in the abscess so the yucky stuff comes out. Make sure not to get water in his eyes as the salt could hurt him.

 

[MaryCayden]

Yes, hes on baytril.

I checked it and its leaking, but I can't find out where. His incision looks like a big red and green scab. But the puss is brown and green slime and it stinks to high heaven. So I just wash that whole area where he won't let me see his face that well?

 

[SQ]

Using a warm compress on his face for a few min at a time may help to loosen the scab and draw the infection to the surface.
Since it is on his face (not a good place for an abcess) I would try to get the vet to add another antibiotic to the baytril ... like clavamox or chlorpalm.

 

[MaryCayden]

Ok I got him to stay still for 2 seconds for me to look. It's a little hole in the back of the lump under his incision. It's tiny but when you touch the area the puss runs out. So I should warm compress that and clean him up. Should i run water over it? His fur is matted with gunk

 

[jorats]

Yes run water over it. It's good that he's on baytril that will help a great deal.
If you aren't too squeamish, you could squeeze the pus out.

 

[MaryCayden]

I do worse things at work that squeeze pus out LOL

He won't let me touch it, he kicks me and squeels and wiggles and runs away. I'm gonna clean it with a face cloth.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

It would be best if you can use a warm compress to get the scab off so you can get all the gunk out...he won't like it since the area is sore but it will help him heal faster if you can get all the nasty stuff out. If you are able to get it open then you can keep squeezing it out at least once a day until there is finally nothing to squeeze out.

 

[MaryCayden]

I can't keep him still and hold a light and squeeze to see what i'm doing. He wont even let me hold him in a towel. He's being difficult. But I was trying to squeeze it and a lot came out. He won't let me hold anything to his face. I put him under the water for a quick second to try and get the gunk off his fur and he wouldn't let me dry him off! UGH! :wallbang: Is bobby ok with him still?

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I'm assuming Bobby is his cagemate? If so then I would say yes...Bobby might be able to help clean him up if Ricky will let him. At least you were able to get some out, do you have a second person who can help you hold him? If not then I would just leave him for now and try again tomorrow.

 

[MaryCayden]

My mom, and she wont help me! As long as it will drain and he and Bobby will be ok with it, i'll try again tomorrow

 

[mamarat]

That's okay, just try again tomorrow and leave him with Bobby. Bobby might even clean it up for him.

 

[lilspaz68]

Draining is the best thing that can happen. To,morrow you should still try to flush it out with saline solution (google homemade isotonic saline solution). Use a medicating syringe and stick that right into the hole and flush it out that way. You might want to put a large towel over your lap and try to do it there, whatever is easiest for both of you. Try to ignore the shrieks, it needs to be done. If a scab has formed use a damp compress and see if you can soften up the scab so you can either lift it or remove it altogether to allow for better drainage.

 

[Godmother]

Poor sweet Ricky! You must be so glad to have the forum experts to give you instructions. I would have been pretty terrified to find an abscess like that. Hope he feels better soon.

 

[user 1946]

Poor baby.

The most important thing is to not let the scab close because that will allow the infection to continue to come back. Make sure to flush it out several times a day.

I agree, that you need to ask your vet for clavomox, it is the best stuff out there for skin issues.

Also, if you are still having issues holding him, try to Burrito Method... aka wrap the rat in a towel snugly to restrict his motion. This method has worked very well for me with a variety of squirming animals.

Best of luck.

 

[lizmo1221]

How did it go today?

 

[MaryCayden]

His incision is a big green and red scab and the little hole is gone hard. I'm gonna try and get it open again, but his face is flat and he seems in better spirits. I just need to try and get some energy to catch him and hold him lol. Pretty much been knocked on my behind the last 2 days sick. :sick2: