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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / September 2004Any ideas on fixing a foot
I have a rat that's about a year and two months old. We got him just after he was weaned and he's always had a deformed toe. Not really deformed, but slightly turned under the others and useless. A couple months ago we noticed that the toe was more turned under and inflamed and red, looked slightly infected. We had our vet take a look and we decided to take a conservative approach before operating -so twice daily we cleaned the foot and applied neosporin. Noticed some improvement at least in that it didn't look infected. The next round we gave oral Baytril and did the neosporin. Noticed improvement, but without the constant application it doesn't improve. Our vet has said and we agree that the toe needs to be removed. I trust my vet and we want to get it done -but wonder if we need to try another approach first before we opt for surgery. We (me and hubby) were discussing today that maybe we should try using soft towels as bedding instead of the aspen shavings -the shavings have to be contributing to the problem. The cage has all plastic walkways and flooring -no wires to walk on. Then we wonder if it would be possible to create a splint of some kind to place on the foot, that won't be chewed off. So, saying all that, I thought I would throw the problem out there and see if any brainstorming will come up with possible solutions or confirm surgery is the best possible solution. What do you all think? -Lisa The rat whisperer > I have a rat that's about a year and two months old. We got him just after > he was weaned and he's always had a deformed toe. Not really deformed, but [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > -Lisa > The rat whisperer I had a discussion with my vet about my mom's rat needing his leg removed. I had asked about leaving a stump. She said you don't want to leave it because it will just hang there and become irritated with every single movement he makes. When a limb has become useless then you risk it becoming irritated, inflamed even chewed on. I would agree with your vet, it should be removed, he won't even notice it. Sven (mom's rat) has managed quite well on just 3 legs. ;)  SignatureJoanne Mom to 11 rats http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 >I have a rat that's about a year and two months old. We got him just after >he was weaned and he's always had a deformed toe. Not really deformed, but [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >will come up with possible solutions or confirm surgery is the best possible >solution. What do you all think? i'd try towels, but if it's really bothering him and has been for some time, i think i'd probably go ahead and get it removed. you couldn't fix it by splinting it, right? it's a birth defect. so it'd have to be a permanent thing? not sure how you could keep him from chewing it off without doing something like an e-collar or a body wrap, both of which are stressful on the rat. if he's young and healthy, the surgery should be quick and easy. there are always risks with anesthesia, but in a young, healthy rat they are minimal. --- han solo shot first. http://shattering.org Lisa Goodman Counts wrote: :: I have a rat that's about a year and two months old. We got him :: just after he was weaned and he's always had a deformed toe. Not [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] :: up with possible solutions or confirm surgery is the best possible :: solution. What do you all think? Get it whipped off, he'll be in and out in no time, I'll wager that he's sick to death of it himself and want's rid of it entirely, do the lad a favour and get it removed, you know it makes sense! I agree with everyone else on this - he still has the other toes, so getting rid of the useless appendage is the best thing you can do. By leaving it on, you only risk complications. He's quite young, so it shouldn't be a problem for him. Rosemary :: I agree with everyone else on this - he still has the other toes, :: so getting rid of the useless appendage is the best thing you can :: do. By leaving it on, you only risk complications. He's quite :: young, so it shouldn't be a problem for him. :: :: Rosemary I agree...having suffered from an ingrowing toenail for many years, I know how painfull infected toes can be...If I thought I could have the entire toe removed without any disability, I would not hestitate - the bloody thing controls my life! ..I've decided that when I eventually shuffle off this mortal coil, I'll be getting cremated, and I'm taking the bugger with me! Thanks for the advice! We scheduled his surgery for next week -I appreciate the input!! > I have a rat that's about a year and two months old. We got him just after > he was weaned and he's always had a deformed toe. Not really deformed, but [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > -Lisa > The rat whisperer |
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