how to treat an abcess? ... and the cost of surgery

[ChrisK]

Here are a few photos. It was tough getting a good shot, so I'm posting all three photos taken... may require zooming to see it up close... Thanks for your feedback!!

 

[jorats]

Can you see if there's an opening there? You might want to clean that out a few times a day but be careful that it's not opened into her throat. If so flushing could fill her up.

 

[ChrisK]

Can you see if there's an opening there? You might want to clean that out a few times a day but be careful that it's not opened into her throat. If so flushing could fill her up.

I'm having trouble getting a close enough look, but my husband says he sees a little bit of an almost transparent white spot, paper thin like, and he doesn't think it's actually open. Can you point me toward info on how to flush it out? I was thinking maybe of just using a lint free cloth with warm water to pat it..??

 

[jorats]

I was thinking maybe of just using a lint free cloth with warm water to pat it..??

Best to do that the cloth and pat down unless you can clearly see the hole and you know for a fact the hole is not open into her throat.

 

[smmmiley]

How are things going with your Skittles?

Can you see if there's an opening there? You might want to clean that out a few times a day but be careful that it's not opened into her throat. If so flushing could fill her up.

I'm having trouble getting a close enough look, but my husband says he sees a little bit of an almost transparent white spot, paper thin like, and he doesn't think it's actually open. Can you point me toward info on how to flush it out? I was thinking maybe of just using a lint free cloth with warm water to pat it..??

 

[ChrisK]

How are things going with your Skittles?

Thanks for asking!
Skittles is doing well right now. After the abscess seemed to clear up, she had what appeared to be a cyst which burst in her groin area. We waited a few weeks for both to finish clearing up, and then she had tumor removal surgery. She had had three mammary tumors, all in a row, under her arm.

After surgery, she seemed to be suffering some respiratory distress, so our vet gave us doxy to go with the baytril, and she's been on that for a few days now. Her symptoms seem to have cleared, although I'm feeling afraid to say it! As I write this she is beside me grooming and sneezing as she does so (this is normal for her, but still I'm on guard).

Anyway, I'm glad she's recovering well so far. I'm hoping she continues to recover well. She's a very resilient girl!

My concern for the moment is that we'll have to get her stitches removed this week, and as it's the first time the vet has used stitches that must be removed with one of my girls, and I can only actually see one stitch when I look at the area, I want to be sure that when they're removed, that they get ALL the stitches. I'm just not sure how to be certain they did when I can't see them myself in the first place !

I've decided therefore to ask the vet to do it himself and bring my husband along, hoping that having the person who put them in remove them AND an extra set of eyes as well as my own should be as good as it gets to address my concern here. Of course, other ideas are welcome!

 

[jorats]

If you aren't seeing the stitches, it's quite possible the rat removed it herself.

 

[Joanne]

My concern for the moment is that we'll have to get her stitches removed this week, and as it's the first time the vet has used stitches that must be removed with one of my girls, and I can only actually see one stitch when I look at the area, I want to be sure that when they're removed, that they get ALL the stitches. I'm just not sure how to be certain they did when I can't see them myself in the first place !

For my rattie's latest tumor removal, the vet used bright blue suture material. It was very easy to see. My rat removed most of the sutures herself anyway. You can go by feel too, because it will feel stiff, like a whisker.
Glad she's through her surgery and on her way to recovery!

 

[ChrisK]

ha ha... joke is on me... We brought Skittles to have her stitches removed and the vet who'd put them in told me that he used the meltaway type. So there was nothing to remove. I guess his staff just got it wrong when they told me otherwise the day of her surgery. Skittles continues doing well at this time. Back to her 'ole self. And I think she's liking me more than usual these days, because I'm the bringer of treats (how she gets her meds morning and evening). We'll be keeping her on doxy + baytril for the full 4 weeks I think.. just to be sure.. So I get to be her hero for a while! lol (really is good bonding time, though) :wink2:

 

[mamarat]

So glad she's doing better. I too have noticed some rats will really bond with me while giving meds and actually still enjoy"me time" after the meds are done.