Non-healing skin lesion - Update Feb 16/12

[Joanne]

That's so very strange. I'd probably leave it alone. Is it in the very same spot?

Exactly the same. If I hadn't seen it cut out (full thickness) I wouldn't have believed it. I think I'm going to leave it alone for now. Very weird!

 

[Dahlas]

I would leave it alone for now to....hope it does not get bigger then it was before.....

 

[mamarat]

Did you get it analyzed the first time? When Gavin had the first one removed it was tested and it was cancer. Months later Gavin developed another lump in exactly the same spot but vet wouldn't operate (because it was cancer)

 

[Joanne]

Did you get it analyzed the first time? When Gavin had the first one removed it was tested and it was cancer. Months later Gavin developed another lump in exactly the same spot but vet wouldn't operate (because it was cancer)

From the pathology report:

"Final Diagnosis:
Ulcerative dermatitis, locally - extensive, severe

Comments:
The lesions in this case are characteristic of staphylococcal ulcerative dermatitis of rats. The incidence of ulcerative dermatitis may vary from 1-2% to over 20% in certain populations of Sprague-Dawley and other strains of rats. It is reported to occur more frequently in males. The lesions are associated with coagulase-positive Staphylococccus aureus infection with trauma/persistent irritation appearing to be important contributing factors in the perpetuation of the lesions. The typical gross appearance is of irregular, circumscribed red ulcerative skin lesions with associated hair loss. They are most commonly found over the shoulder/dorsal neck area, rib cage, submandibular regions, ears and head."

The culture came back "no growth". "

So it looks like ulcerative dermatitis caused by bacteria, but no bacteria grew in the culture. Hence the bafflement... :wallbang:

 

[Joanne]

Picture of Hotches lesion today:

:gaah:

 

[hopefloats]

Is that better or worse?

 

[Joanne]

Definitely not better.... compare to very first picture in thread. Which was surgically removed. :wallbang:

 

[hopefloats]

I know i seen the first picture, this one looks not as bad as it. Is he doing it? do you see him chewing on it?

 

[jorats]

Do you see him groom himself there at all?

 

[Joanne]

I really don't catch him grooming himself all the time. I would think that if it was from over-grooming, that he would be constantly at it, which he's not.

 

[hopefloats]

not really. I have seen those on skittles and she wasnt always grooming, but when she did groom it was hard. Did you try that skin cleanser with Chlorhexidine gluconate? That worked wonders on some of my sores on my hairless boys. Not all but some of them.

 

[Joanne]

not really. I have seen those on skittles and she wasnt always grooming, but when she did groom it was hard. Did you try that skin cleanser with Chlorhexidine gluconate? That worked wonders on some of my sores on my hairless boys. Not all but some of them.

I tried the Pyoben shampoo which has 3% Benzoyl Peroxide, which seemed to help the little areas but not the large area.

 

[hopefloats]

I am pretty sure peroxide will keep wound from healing, it keeps it moist and causes more issues. I know it is good for a wash on occasion but not a major sore.

 

[Joanne]

I have Chlorhexidine Gluconate mouthwash at the office. I think it's 0.18%? What if I just dabbed it on the lesion? Do you think it would sting?

 

[Joanne]

Update on his lesion:
I have basically left it untreated. He did develop a small patch above the first lesion, but the main lesion does seem to be shrinking, with a smaller active scabbed area and an area of newly healed skin.

 

[jorats]

At least it's shrinking. Is the other patch above an open sore too?

 

[lilspaz68]

Keep shrinking you bugger!!!!

 

[Joanne]

At least it's shrinking. Is the other patch above an open sore too?

Yes, but it's fairly small compared to the initial one.

I tried spraying it with bitter spray for a week to see if that made a difference (ie: self-inflicted) but it didn't change anything.