quinners eye - quickie update

[lilspaz68]

I have used polysporin ointment for eyes...its human grade OTC...I am not sure what you have as an equivalent in the US?

I am sure we probably have something like that. Would it be much different from the original ointment Quinn was prescribed? Originally the doc gave him TAB eye ointment, which is mostly or all bacitracin.

Most likely. Just make sure there's no steroid in it.

Could I apply that in between applications of the drops? He gets the drops as soon as I get home, around 6, then again around 1130 before bed. Put the ointment on in between those times?

I would definitely do that

 

[temblabamomo]

Today the eye seemed less red, more a very dark pink, but by this afternoon it basically looks like he's scratched a small chunk out of the surface of the eye (no pics at this time.) I don't mean a scratch, more like he's rubbed away a chunk of eye from messing with it.

I also noticed him have some trouble eating today. I kept checking his teeth because he seemed to be struggling to get bites out of lab blocks. Teeth look good. Gave him some baby cereal and he devoured it. Could his inability to chomp down on a block be because he's in pain? Something in/behind the eye causing pain when he eats? It occurs to me that he has lost weight since the eye problem began - from 520 in mid July to 490 at the vet August 3.

His activity level is noticeable lower today as well. He's still waddling about during playtime and grooming Obie, and eating with gusto when he has something other than lab blocks. His next appointment is Monday afternoon. I'm kind of assuming at this point removal is his best option, yeah?

PS - try some pain meds to see if he perks up a bit? If so - what kind, and how much for a 490 gram manrat?

 

[lilspaz68]

What pain meds do you have?

And yes the eyes are connect3d to the jaw so chewing hurts. Definitely try to control the pain. Is it more swollen or not? If its not you're still okay.

 

[temblabamomo]

What pain meds do you have?

And yes the eyes are connect3d to the jaw so chewing hurts. Definitely try to control the pain. Is it more swollen or not? If its not you're still okay.

There hasn't been any noticeable swelling yet. I have no pain meds at the moment, but if infant ibu would help, or something similar, I will run out and get some.

 

[Dazzle87]

I would definitely get that. Hopefully he'll have an easier time eating. Poor boy his eye sounds awful. Good luck Monday.

 

[lilspaz68]

Go grab the infant ibuprofen (grape, dye-free advil is one they like) then once you have it we'll work out his dosage.

 

[temblabamomo]

Go grab the infant ibuprofen (grape, dye-free advil is one they like) then once you have it we'll work out his dosage.

left before i read this. have berry flav inf. ibu at 50mg/1.25ml. he weighs 490grams

 

[Joanne]

Poor sweetie! I hope he feels better with the Ibuprofen. Is there a more experienced vet with rats in your area, that has done complex surgeries? Even if you had to drive a couple of hours it might be worth it.......

 

[lilspaz68]

Start him on .25 cc's and see if it helps.

You can go up to .38 cc if necessary

 

[temblabamomo]

this seems to have helped, thanks. am worried tho as he's had several fits today of scratching at the eye, almost like he knows its dead and wants it off and out. how often could he have the ibu?

 

[lilspaz68]

He can have it every 4 hours or so.

 

[temblabamomo]

had the recheck this afternoon, dr.p leaves for conference tomorrow and will be gone for a week, managed to fit him in for enucleation surgery this evening. called a while ago, things went fine. i cant wait to see my quinny tomorrow.

 

[jorats]

Crossing my fingers for a speedy recovery. Lucky that he could fit him in.

 

[lilspaz68]

Ohh good!! I have been through too many enucleations, so we should be able to help you get through the next while don't worry!

It was the only thing you could do, and rats adapt amazingly well! :thumbup:

 

[temblabamomo]

i'm thrilled he was able to stay late and do it this evening. he said no sign of tumor or anything behind the eye, and infection appeared to be confined to eye itself and not surrounding area. he said recovery should go well. i can only hope.

 

[mamarat]

Sending healing vibes to your sweetie.

 

[Dazzle87]

Such good news that he's doing so well! I hope he continues to recover quickly.

 

[stormmidnight]

wow you got so lucky, sending healing vibes your way <3

 

[lilspaz68]

Pain meds and abs are all you will need at this time...it'll take him a few days to adjust to the change in his sight, but you'll see him all of a sudden get brave and start wandering around exploring again

When do you get him back?

 

[temblabamomo]

Dr. P called left me a message this morning to let me know Quinners was doing okay, they'd given him some soft foods as he still didn't seem to interested in trying to chew much hard stuff. He said they'd put him on a second pain med? (didn't give the name) because that whole side of his face just seems "pretty ouchie right now". Is this normal following this sort of surgery?

Barring any complications, Mom is going to pick him up around 3 and stay home with him.