Post surgery concerns

[Sorbin]

My rat Sharona, 1 year 2 months old had a pretty large tumor removed last Thursday. The surgery went well and she's recovering nicely, I just have a few concerns. Number one: How in the world do I keep her from chewing her stitches? The only way I've been able to do it so far is to hold her constantly, all day and all night :thud: ! Is there a better method?
Number 2: Since the surgery she's been twitching while asleep, especially her tail. Is it just the wound itching and making her uncomfortable, or should I be concerned?
Number 3: Is there any way to keep another tumor from growing? Anything I should be feeding her? Anything I shouldn't be feeding her? She eats mainly Reggie Rat Food, although I'm feeding her something else right now, since Reggie is out of stock FOREVER! (at least it seems that way)
I'm going to ask the vet these questions when we go back to have the stitches removed, if she doesn't get them all first, (evil little girl), but I would really like some help now! Thanks!

 

[eagle]

What kind of pain killers were you sent home with?

 

[Sorbin]

What kind of pain killers were you sent home with?

The vet didn't give me any, he said she'd be fine.

 

[eagle]

Holy crap that is why she is chewing her incision. She needs pain meds. Can you call your vet and ask for some meloxicam

 

[Sorbin]

I did wonder about that, but he said he doesn't give rats pain meds, and said he'd never had post surgery chewing problems before. Its already all scabbed over, and the the wound isn't tender, she lets me touch it without any protest. I read somewhere that you don't give pain medication for more than two days after surgery anyway... grrr. I wish I knew what to do. Someone please help me with all this conflicting information!!!

 

[eagle]

I just got my new bunny spayed yesterday, I have pain meds for the next 5 days. Surgery hurts therefore they chew to relieve the pain areas. If you can't get pain meds from your vet can you get liquid infant Ibuprophin

 

[lilspaz68]

Poor lass. Another outdated vet with bad info

She was chewing on the incision because it hurt her, she was jumping and twitching in her sleep from pain

Most vets give a pain injection before they wake up from surgery. This should last for 24 hours post-op but sometimes doesn't. Most vets send you home with oral metacam (meloxicam) to give for 2-3 days after surgery. I also would advise picking up some infant liquid ibuprofen because rats are incredible at how well they can hid illness and pain.

 

[jorats]

You could call up your vet and tell him you are seeing obvious signs of pain so could you please get some pain meds for her.

 

[Sorbin]

This is her sixth day since surgery, should I still pursue pain medication? I wish I had known sooner!

 

[lilspaz68]

This is her sixth day since surgery, should I still pursue pain medication? I wish I had known sooner!

There's no point anymore, but if she has to have any type of procedure in the future, check with us first? Then you will have to be very insistent with your vet or we will help you dose something OTC (which is nowhere near as good or safe).

I assume she's fine now? Tough little lass.

 

[Sorbin]

She's getting better everyday! But, she still licks at the incision.

 

[lilspaz68]

She's getting better everyday! But, she still licks at the incision.

is it all closed up and just a little scabbing now?

 

[Sorbin]

She pulled three stitches out a couple days ago, and that is all pink, but otherwise its scabbed over. She's trying to chew her scabs off now. Why? :/

 

[lilspaz68]

She pulled three stitches out a couple days ago, and that is all pink, but otherwise its scabbed over. She's trying to chew her scabs off now. Why? :/

Probably because its pulling and along with the stitches, itching and irritating her. When are you supposed to get them removed? My vet uses internal dissolvable sutures and glue on the outside.

 

[Sorbin]

I have an appointment for March 5th, that is the eleventh day after the surgery.

 

[lilspaz68]

Is there any way to get them out sooner? by Day 11 the skin will have grown around the stitches making them very hard to remove and then she will need to heal from that as well.

 

[Sorbin]

What day would you advise? I can call and ask him for an appointment.

 

[lilspaz68]

What day would you advise? I can call and ask him for an appointment.

I would say anytime now, as you can tell its well healed already right?

 

[Sorbin]

This little ratty is worrying me! We had the stitches removed and she seemed to be doing wonderful, buuut now her teeth have turned white! Her fur is all puffy, and she's being quiet. Her cage (Shame on me) does need cleaning, but I really don't know what could be causing this.