I'm sorry this has to be my first post here but our first pet ret, Orca has Bumblefoot. It got very bad very quickly. We're treating him with antibiotics and squeezing out the puss as directed by one of our vets but right now I'm really questioning if we're doing the right thing at all. His foot hasn't gotten better and sometime in the last 24 hours he lost a toe and it looks like he might lose another. Orca is clear eyed and still himself other than the inflamed foot. I am tired of hearing him scream as we try and clear out the infection and just don't know if I can handle putting him through this anymore. He's almost three and we've had him for 2 years. Part of me is being selfish because we already buried one rat this summer and I just don't want to bury another but I don't want him to suffer and I don't want him to be in pain. Please anything would be a comfort.
I'm no longer sitting here crying or need some help(UPDATE)
- Thread starter yoni
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jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
A picture would help. Also, did your vet give you any metacam or pain management for your little guy?
I wouldn't be squeezing it, at all. What antibiotics is he on?
I wouldn't be squeezing it, at all. What antibiotics is he on?
jorats said:
The doctor gave us remidal(SP?) at this point it's mostly abscess inside the foot. After a long talk the wife and I are going to treat him with the antibiotics and just give him lots of love. I'll scramble an egg for him. Really all that maters to me is he knows he is loved and just to try and make him comfortable. He'll go back to the vet on friday and see what their opinion is. We have 4 more wonderful rats that we will also be loving.
This is a photo of Orca and me pretty soon after we got him.
He should have a pain medication as well, even if it's over the counter like infant liquid ibuprofen... the poor baby is likely in pain, and the ibuprofen will help with swelling as well.
Do you have a picture of his foot?
Do you have a picture of his foot?
handmeafish
Well-Known Member
Remadyl is a pain medicine and anti-inflamatory very similar to ibuprofen... I dunno that they should be given at the same time.
Ohhhh so he's not on an antibiotic? Or is he on an antibiotic AND that pain med? Sorry, I thought that was just some antibiotic I hadn't heard of. HAHA.
I looked it up on Ratguide, it's an NSAID and the generic name is carprofen, the brand name is Rimadyl. I've never had any experience with it, but it should keep him out of pain as much as possible.
Also, there might be some suggestions you'd be interested in on the Ratguide page on bumblefoot: http://ratguide.com/health/integumentar ... atitis.php
I looked it up on Ratguide, it's an NSAID and the generic name is carprofen, the brand name is Rimadyl. I've never had any experience with it, but it should keep him out of pain as much as possible.
Also, there might be some suggestions you'd be interested in on the Ratguide page on bumblefoot: http://ratguide.com/health/integumentar ... atitis.php
lizmo1221
Senior Member
If he has a foot infection (which is obvious because of the pus), he definitely Needs antibiotics for it ASAP. It will never get better (and will very likely get worse!) without them
He's on antibiotics and the pain meds. I just think he might be too old to fight off the infection at this point. I love the little guy but I don't want to hurt him at this point. We'll keep up with the meds and have him do his bedatine baths(which he loves). And just treat him with so much love we'll love the infection out or know when to say it's enough.
lizmo1221
Senior Member
What's abs is he on? Baytril(enrofloxacin), doxycycline, possibly chlorpalm or clavamox? If he is on the wrong medication he might need a stronger one to get better. We can give you some tips here before you go to the vet again if you want. There Are many rat knowledgeable people on the forum and even online right now that can help 
handmeafish
Well-Known Member
what about an epsom salt soak for the foot? maybe to draw out some of the nasty.
I've used Baytril on bumblefoot before but if there's no improvement my vet switches to something else.
The betadine soak is good.
That cage sounds good, no levels, flat base, etc. Soft fabric bedding is good however I would scrap the towels, as towels have those little "looped" threads which can catch toenails and rip them off.
The betadine soak is good.
That cage sounds good, no levels, flat base, etc. Soft fabric bedding is good however I would scrap the towels, as towels have those little "looped" threads which can catch toenails and rip them off.
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
It sounds like you are doing all you can for Orca, I would totally stop the squeezing and let the Baytril and Betadine do the work for you.
I've had very old rats go through treatment and they've come out of it too. You never know, your boy might have a lot of life left in him still and will fight this issue with you.
I've had very old rats go through treatment and they've come out of it too. You never know, your boy might have a lot of life left in him still and will fight this issue with you.
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
If the baytril doesn't get rid of the infection, try chlorpalm or clavamox.
Better yet, have your vet take a culture of the infection and have a sensitivity test done to determine the best antibiotic to fight the infection.
If he is in otherwise good health, and the infection doesn't clear up, your vet could do surgery to remove the infection and then antibiotics should take care of the rest.
Better yet, have your vet take a culture of the infection and have a sensitivity test done to determine the best antibiotic to fight the infection.
If he is in otherwise good health, and the infection doesn't clear up, your vet could do surgery to remove the infection and then antibiotics should take care of the rest.
