Buster and his toe AGAIN!

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Lisa Counts - 30 Dec 2004 14:58 GMT

I've posted here before about my little boy Buster (named for Buster Keaton)
and his toe that was deformed and then developed what looked like a
tumor -and misdiagnosed twice.
I did alot of reading on the net about bumblefoot -the more pictures I
looked at, the more I began to believe this wasn't a cancerous tumor. Two
separate vets misdiagnosed him -and the expense of x-rays and meds, yikes, I
could scream. The last vet said there was nothing we could do and sent him
home basically to die. Anyway, I decided I would try one more time to get
him in to another vet. Did I hit the jackpot this time -guess what animal
this vet has as a pet? A RAT!!!! She aspirated the site and then
prescribed tetracycline -he's been on for two weeks now and the bumble is
shrinking!!!! This was my first encounter with bumblefoot and I didn't know
what it was -I feel terrible that Buster had to suffer for several months
with this thing, including a "tumor" removal surgery. I haven't had to go
through as much as Meghan, but I would have driven to the ends of the earth
for my boy -so I feel a little kinship with her! If you feel your vet is
inadequate, don't stop searching for a good one!!!

Lisa -Buster's Happy Mother!

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Keith Schiffner - 30 Dec 2004 15:03 GMT

SNIP

> If you feel your vet is inadequate, don't stop searching
> for a good one!!!

Lisa I am SO happy for you and Buster this is good news.
Knowing what is wrong is always such a relief...

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Keith Schiffner
"I was just out walking my rat and seem to have got lost."
J. Bond
Dum vivimus, vivamus
<:(3 )3~ <:(3 )3~
<:(3 )~ <:(3 )~
http://community.webshots.com/user/sciffners

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Meghan - 30 Dec 2004 21:43 GMT

> I've posted here before about my little boy Buster (named for Buster Keaton)
> and his toe that was deformed and then developed what looked like a
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Lisa -Buster's Happy Mother!

Lisa,

This is a great story. I love how you said, "I didn't go through as much as
Meghan", as though my ordeal is now somehow the measure of how bad things
can really get. ha ha ha.

The first "bad vet" experience I had with my rats was the very local vet.
Yes, we have a vet in my town, not 3 miles away from me, but she acts as
though rats are vermin and actually told me I should be careful that my rats
(from a reputable breeder) don't have rabies because you know, a lot of rats
have rabies. After several other horrible comments and experiences I will
NEVER go there again. In looking for other vets on the phone I could just
"tell" how they felt about rodents - we live in a rural area and around here
rats are only good for killing.

So the best vet I found, 90 minutes away from my house, is very nice,
caring, but I am afraid now not very informed about rats. Jacques' tumor
was misdiagnosed twice, and even when I told her about his amputation, and
his x-ray, she still thought maybe it might have been a "bad joint" and that
it's "very rare" to amputate a rat's leg. Sigh.

So my quest continues, as I have exhausted the supply in New Hampshire and
Vermont, I will now go looking for a vet in Maine. I will not rest until I
have found a good rattie vet!! I know of one in Utah, but that's a little
far right now. Congratulations on Buster's recovery.

Meghan

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Joanne - 31 Dec 2004 02:18 GMT

> I've posted here before about my little boy Buster (named for Buster
> Keaton) and his toe that was deformed and then developed what looked like
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Lisa -Buster's Happy Mother!

Lisa, the mass came back after the removal? I wish I could see a pic. Most
bumblefoot are on the heal and not any of the toes. I think many vets would
miss that one.
Bumblefoot is usually a very deep infection and not easily cured, especially
with something as mild as tetracycline.
Have you tried padding his cage real good to avoid pressure sore?
This is very interesting, can you tell us some more? Are you to put anything
on the mass?

Signature

Joanne
Mom to 10 rats
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

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Lisa Counts - 31 Dec 2004 04:56 GMT

Yes it came back after removal which really had me thinking cancer was
involved. But the more I read about bumblefoot being caused by pressure it
made perfect sense to me. The bumble is right on the joint of the toe that
was deformed -when he walks there is pressure on that joint. We brought him
home shortly after he was weaned, and the toe even then pointed inward under
the other toes. As he grew and gained weight it just added pressure. He
had been on aspen shavings until about two months ago -then we were doing
shredded toilet paper, but after reading about how you use bath mats we
switched. The boys love the mats cause they are so soft and cushy. I think
the combination of the softer bedding and the antibiotics is making all the
difference. I was applying neosporin to the wound daily, then switched to
PRID salve which is all natural and has a drawing effect. We're not doing
anything topical now -this bumble is now nearly half the size it was two
weeks ago. I am going to take Buster back pretty soon and get some x-rays
to look at what condition the joint is in now. I have to say that I'm sorry
it took me so long to learn what this was, but now that I know, I'm checking
their footies regularly!

>> I've posted here before about my little boy Buster (named for Buster
>> Keaton) and his toe that was deformed and then developed what looked like
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> This is very interesting, can you tell us some more? Are you to put
> anything on the mass?

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Joanne - 31 Dec 2004 21:38 GMT

> Yes it came back after removal which really had me thinking cancer was
> involved. But the more I read about bumblefoot being caused by pressure
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> now. I have to say that I'm sorry it took me so long to learn what this
> was, but now that I know, I'm checking their footies regularly!

So bumble can happen on toes too... this is good to know and keep an eye out
for.
My vet truly believes it's the cage padding that helped reduce the pressure
soars in the cage for my mom's two boys.
Good to know your little guy is doing much better!!

Signature

Joanne
Mom to 10 rats
http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / December 2004

Buster and his toe AGAIN!