Degloving accident.

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Lynn - 18 Jun 2006 20:41 GMT

OK, I did the NEVER GRAB THEM BY THE TAIL...but not on purpose. Crazy and I
were playing on the floor, when she decided to shoot off to under the
couch. I grabbed for her and only got tail...and tail was ALL I got. I
pulled off a little more than an inch. (She is already on of my problem
rats, health-wise. She gets chronic abscesses. It seems to be her job in
life. I am always cleaning up one and getting it healed, just to have her
get another. She has been that way since I adopted her, Other than that, she
is a healthy, playful and amazingly social rat. All her sisters care for
her. She has a wonderful family...)

But back to last night, yep, I degloved her tail, but it was not that much.
We got it all cleaned and antibiotic goodies were applied. There was a
surprising LACK of blood and she did a wonderful job of tending to it
herself. I do believe that it is going to be an easy heal.

SO here it goes, I have already had her on my SHOULD I PUT HER DOWN list,
only to have her recover and enjoy life so much I don't have the heart.

How do you all feel when you have a rat that has troubles, but lives life to
the fullest. Do you all usually let your babe live on. I don't see her
suffering. She is one of the first to give me kisses and beg for attention.
She does not cry from pain. She only gets upset when I bathe her boo-boos.
And that seems to be more of a protest about water, than pain.

Should I keep her with us....doggone it. I love the lumpy little thing.
Sorry about the rambling novel.

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Lynn "kitty"

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Joanne - 18 Jun 2006 22:19 GMT

> OK, I did the NEVER GRAB THEM BY THE TAIL...but not on purpose. Crazy and I
> were playing on the floor, when she decided to shoot off to under the
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Should I keep her with us....doggone it. I love the lumpy little thing.
> Sorry about the rambling novel.

Degloving happens a lot. So don't beat yourself up over this.
You did the right thing, keep it clean and if you see any infection,
then off to the vet she goes.
When I have a sickly rat and I'm debating pts... if I see something as
simple as a yawn or a good full body stretch, that tells me the rat
still enjoys her life, still enjoys a good stretch... and to me, that's
still quality.
And that lumpy little thing loves you!!

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Joanne
Owned by 20 rats.
Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70

-------------------------------------------------------
~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning*

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Tiger Spot - 19 Jun 2006 00:51 GMT

>How do you all feel when you have a rat that has troubles, but lives life to
>the fullest. Do you all usually let your babe live on. I don't see her
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>Should I keep her with us....doggone it. I love the lumpy little thing.
>Sorry about the rambling novel.

I usually figure that as long as the rat is still eating, it wants to
live.

I did just have one put down before she was quite ready, though,
because although she was still eating she was clearly in pain (despite
the anti-inflammatory, which had been doing a good job for a while),
and she was absolutely not going to get better.

--Theresa

http://tiger_spot.mapache.org

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Tracey - 19 Jun 2006 11:10 GMT

> How do you all feel when you have a rat that has troubles, but lives life
> to
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Should I keep her with us....doggone it. I love the lumpy little thing.
> Sorry about the rambling novel.

I had the same dilemma with my Max. He had rear end paralysis and looked in
such a pitiful state when he would drag himself around with his front legs.
I had to do a fair bit for him too like clean his ears out (I never realised
how waxy rattie ears get), remove his penis plug daily and generally keep
him as fresh and clean as I could cos he could no longer do it. But whilst
he was still eating so well (he had such an enthusiasm for his tucker!) and
still sitting on my lap and bruxing when I cleaned him I thought he had
quality of life. The last week of his life he had stopped eating and
generally looked fed-up and ready for a good, long rest, then I decided it
was time to have the vet help him on his way. I think you instinctively
know when it's the right time too.

From what you have said about your little one I think she still has quality
of life and it's not her time yet :o)

Tracey

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Lynn - 19 Jun 2006 15:01 GMT

You people are the BEST in the world. I may not always be here to post or
reply, but YOU all...gosh. Thanks so much for helping me with this. Crazy is
snuggling away with the girls. Even though she is one of my adoptees, the
FAMILY took her in and they do care about her, too. They help her stay clean
and tidy.

She sure does eat. She and her real sister got so lucky to move into my
home. Now she has food, frolicking and fun.

Bless you all again for helping me in more ways than you know. I am indebted
for your kindness and unlimited ratty knowledge.

HUGS and ratty kisses,
Lynn
kitty

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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / June 2006

Degloving accident.