Poor Philbert!!..UPDATE

[Sharlees rattakisses]

I have spent 2 months away from my rattakisses recovering from surgery.
I went to clean the ratty cage and found my Philbert with a broken leg.
My girls never noticed it but it has been broken for awhile.
it is swollen and he is dragging it but seems to eat and look healthy otherwise.
If you remember my Jeramy had his leg broken and I had it removed but for a hefty $600.00.
I haven't the money to get philly's removed.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Any alternative options?
PLEASE HELP.
:gaah:

 

[mamarat]

If he's in pain you could give him Metacam and maybe have him in a cage with no levels. How old is he?

Do you know how your rats are breaking their legs in the cage? Maybe you could "fix" the problem if it's the same cage as the one his brother got also hurt. Sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[SQ]

Rats frequently get sprains but not broken legs. As mamarat said, you need to find out why this is happening and fix the problem.
How old is Philbert? What is his health like otherwise?

With elderly rats who are unable to move around much, they are put in a large one level cage with soft material on the floor, changed at least daily. This is, in part to protect any body parts that no longer work well and are being dragged. Dragging a leg can cause damage to the skin allowing for infection, etc. If Philbert is elderly, this could be a solution for him as long as he is housed with at least one friend.

If Philbert is younger and a candidate for surgery, then amputation is likely needed.
You need to take him to a good rat vet and see what the vet recommends.

 

[pshuga03]

My thoughts are with you on this tough situation <3

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

Jeramy's leg was unhappily broken by me when I lifted a chair to try to get him out.
Oh the guilt I feel about that. :sad3:
Philly is 26 months old now and is one of my babies.
The cage isn't the same one Jeramy used.
Is he considered elderly?
Will the swelling go down?
How can I help?
Thanx for your support. :cuddle:
My run of bad luck has me REALLY down.
Send some Good luck QUICK!! :thud:

 

[jorats]

Is it just the swelling that makes you think it's broken or is it sitting in a bad way? Sprains are very common in rats and the swelling can be severe and scares the crap out of you but it does go down. Same with a broken leg... it should go down and the bone will heal in an unshapely way but he should still recover. I probably wouldn't have it removed at this point unless the suffering is very obvious. I'd get him some infant motrin to help with pain and swelling.
He is considered elderly now... in fact he's past the average age most rats live to.

About Jeremy... accidents happen. It's time you forgive yourself for that. (hugs)

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

My Delilah, AKA Delly-Shoes is now 31 months old and running circles around "The Babies". :joy:
She comes from good genes.
I will post pix of poor Philly for you to see.
Delly looks like a baby squeekers still.
Oh how I :heart: my Rattakisses!!!! :hugs:

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

Here is a picture of Philbert's foot.




Delly is Grooming Philly.

My 31 month old girlie.
She was born Nov 2008.

 

[mamarat]

Poor baby! I wonder if it could be cellulitis? He would need meds. My vet had given me Baytril and it cleared up. Good luck.

 

[jorats]

So he's not using it at all to walk? Is it angled wrong or does it look like he's got hind end degeneration?
To be honest, I've seen it much worse than that before.

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

It's definitely not hind end degeneration.
It's floppy and turned in and the foot is a little less swollen but not being used at all.
Despite this he is a happy ratty eating and cuddling as usual.
He loves rooming with Delly(blind in one eye)and Cloud (deaf in one ear).

 

[Rachael]

It could be cellulitis as mentioned. My Monkey had pain killers and antibiotics. Couldn't walk on it, was a bit like that just worse.

 

[jorats]

It might be broken now but looks like it healed in that way. Just keep an eye on it, make sure it doesn't get too dragged around and create sores on it.

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

Philbert's foot has heal quite nicely considering how bad it looked when I first noticed it.
TOBI & REGGIE are now on Baytril for congestion/infection.
RUBE Is still a ......****. :roll:
DELILAH is zipping around stealing the treats!!! :giggle: :heart:
Silly Rattakisses....... :lol:

 

[mamarat]

That's great news. So glad he's ok.

 

[jorats]

Silly sweet ratties.