Injury Questions w/Pics

[Asheka]

Okay, some of you may know of my boy's injury last night. For those who don't, the simplified version is he got his tail caught somehow and ripped off the tip and pulled out some tendons. He's on some baby Advil for the pain and in their travel cage all scrubbed down regularly and only fleece - no carefresh or anything.
I am wondering how long should I wait before bringing Smeagol and Hoggle back into the picture, even just on the bed for mutual play time. The original plan had been to set up the single CN for them after getting home from spending the weekend at my parent's as they did excellent together and were ready to live together, but the injury occured, so that's been delayed. I've been cleaning and reorganizing my bedroom today and was thinking of just getting it set up now so it's right and ready to go for when Trouble's all healed up...although am wondering what the risks would be of putting them all in it now in the same way...

Also, would it harm him in any way - or even be useful - to dip the tip of his tail in some diluted peroxide? I'm keep the cage as clean as possible, but am so very worried about infection. It took a lot of styptic powder to stop the bleeding last night though, so am also worried of it opening it up to bleed again at the same time. Help? Any advice would be awesome as this is my first major injury and medicating.

 

[henry's_mum]

I would just make sure the cage is UBER clean!
Poor Trouby.... it does sound like something he'd do though....

 

[jorats]

Yep, keep his habitat clean and I'd give him his daily buddies after a day of recoup.

 

[Asheka]

Thanks guys! This is the first major injury...Heck I think this is the first injury period I've had to deal with. I feel so horrible! I tried to get a couple pics of the end of his tail now but my camera is crap for focusing well so will try for a couple tomorrow...It's scabbed up looking and must be so very painful for him :cry:

My roommate said I scared the crap outta her cuz I just came to the top of the stairs yelling at her to "crate the dog, bleeding rat" and I just could not believe the amount of blood! There's a couple spots on my wall I need to scrub yet...I am just happy I have you guys and this place or I'd have been a complete basket case.

He's sleeping a lot now, but he's also in a smaller cage so probably a bit upset with me and moody. I've put his other cage away since I want them in the CN as soon as he's healed back up. Tomorrow we'll do a mutual outtime on the bed after he's had his 11AM meds. How long do you think until he's healed up enough they can live together?

 

[Asheka]

Well, got some pics this morning after giving him his meds. It seems a little red to me....We might see if we can get some Baytril (?) for him just in case...I'm worried sick of infection.

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[jorats]

That will heal up pretty fast. But it's a good idea on getting Baytril.

 

[Asheka]

That will heal up pretty fast. But it's a good idea on getting Baytril.

Thank you!

 

[Asheka]

I called one vet and they were asking which strength, etc. which I don't know. He's not a patient there so would have to come in anyway, but he's been to another vet so if I can get that info I should be able to just pick up the Baytril without bringing him in I believe...?

 

[jorats]

Did you call the vet he's seen before? They might be able to put you as a recheck which is much cheaper.

 

[Moon]

Yeah, a bout of baytril isn't a bad idea. I was expecting it to look much worse. Is he still able to move it around ok? If he pulled out tendons, I'd imagine he'd have some tail mobility issues or something

 

[henry's_mum]

It doesn't look bad at all to me. I would hold off on the Baytril, until you know for sure he needs it. I don't like giving ppl/rats meds unless it's needed.
It doesn't look infected ATM, so what about doing a saline soak, or flush on him for now. Save the Baytril for 'the next step' if needed?

 

[Asheka]

Did you call the vet he's seen before? They might be able to put you as a recheck which is much cheaper.

He has gone to the one vet I called second. I don't like them much, but they will normally wave off some of the strict rules of things. They never charged me anything but the Revolution when we went in...but even they won't without seeing him and it's $73 right off...which I just don't have this week...

Yeah, a bout of baytril isn't a bad idea. I was expecting it to look much worse. Is he still able to move it around ok? If he pulled out tendons, I'd imagine he'd have some tail mobility issues or something

He seems to move his tail fine, holds it up a bit more than usual now of course...

 

[xKrAzEdShOoTeRx]

Feel better soon ratatatat!

 

[Asheka]

It doesn't look bad at all to me. I would hold off on the Baytril, until you know for sure he needs it. I don't like giving ppl/rats meds unless it's needed.
It doesn't look infected ATM, so what about doing a saline soak, or flush on him for now. Save the Baytril for 'the next step' if needed?

My roommate is gunna grab me some epsom salts on the way home today, so we'll do a soak tonight for sure...How exactly do you preform a 'flush' though on a tail?
I was reading on the 'benefits of epsom salts' and one is drawing toxins out, etc. but it also mentioned it helps preventing blood clots....I'm sure this is hugely over time, but makes me worried if I shuld keep the styptic powder at hand when we do it...?