One of my rats paws started bleeding. She was on the couch, and my brother was watching her, and he said that he started hearing squeiling and noticed that her front paws were bleeding. He brought her to me and I've been wiping the 2 paws with warm water, and petting her. I also brought out my other two rats to keep her company. Th bleeding has preety much stopped and she seems calm. Is there anything alse I could do? I think she just did something to her nails.
Rat Paws Bleeding
- Thread starter Nannook
- Start date
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Once she's calmed down and you can really see her paws, check to make sure she didn't cut them on anything. Check in your couch, make sure there aren't any loose threads, holes, or sharp objects hiding in the cushions. If she has ripped a toenail off, check and make sure there's nothing she could snag her nails on.
For either one, though, the treatment is pretty much the same. Keep her cage clean and keep an eye on her injured foot/feet. If you see any redness, swelling, or general irritation, you'll want to get her into the vet to be put on an antibiotic. Rats are amazing little healers, so as long as the cut doesn't get infected she should be just fine in a couple of days.
ETA : If ever one of your rats rips a nail again, you can place little mound of flour or cornstarch in a small bowl/plate and dip their foot into it to help clot the wound and stop the bleeding. The best thing is to check for major injury and then let them calm down since when frightened their blood pressure rises and it can take a while for the wound to clot.
For either one, though, the treatment is pretty much the same. Keep her cage clean and keep an eye on her injured foot/feet. If you see any redness, swelling, or general irritation, you'll want to get her into the vet to be put on an antibiotic. Rats are amazing little healers, so as long as the cut doesn't get infected she should be just fine in a couple of days.
ETA : If ever one of your rats rips a nail again, you can place little mound of flour or cornstarch in a small bowl/plate and dip their foot into it to help clot the wound and stop the bleeding. The best thing is to check for major injury and then let them calm down since when frightened their blood pressure rises and it can take a while for the wound to clot.
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
I can't add anything more except, I hope your sweetie is alright.
Moon
Well-Known Member
I hope your girl is feeling ok, and hasn't really hurt herself! It's probably a toenail injury, those things can bleed like heck.
Godmother
Well-Known Member
I hope your sweetie is OK. Early in my career as a rat mama I had to deal with several bleeding toes. The first girlie to be injured was Melissa; she had been bitten when she went on top of the other girls' cage. Her toes oozed blood all night, she huddled in a corner, and I stayed up with her til about 4 in the morning, giving her Gatorade off my fingers to stave off dehydration and shock. I couldn't get her to put her foot in the flour, and I felt totally panicked and incompetent. 
They are so resilient, though. Two of Melissa's toes were permanently damaged, but she is fine (now almost two years old).
Good luck!
They are so resilient, though. Two of Melissa's toes were permanently damaged, but she is fine (now almost two years old).
Good luck!
lindsayfawn
Well-Known Member
aww poor thing, hope she is ok!
