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Pet Forum / Mammals / Rats / July 2006Help needed to stop ratty removing her stitches
Our current eldest, Mea, who'll be three around September, had major surgery on Friday to remove two tumours. On the table they found a further two & ended up removing all four. She survived the op & seemed perky, eating & drinking straight after she came around. Trouble is, by Saturday morning she'd pulled all but two of her stitches out. She has three wounds, one in her groin next to a back leg, a slightly shorter on the opposite side & the smallest in between those two. The op cost us a very reasonable 32ukp. Today our vet was closed so we had to take her to the emergency vets (VetsNow). They restitched the wounds. The vet was going to staple the larger & glue the other two, but in the end didn't use staples as she was concerned the skin would tear & couldn't use glue as they couldn't find any. She suggested we kit Mea out in a stylish sock with custom leg holes. This treatment cost us 102ukp - & unfortunately isn't something we can afford to repeat, so the next emergency treatment will probably be via the PDSA. Anyhow, the sock didn't work - she removed it. Likewise with tubular bandage. Guess what? Within four hours of getting home she'd opened up the main wound again. I'm willing to bet that by the morning she'll have all of the stitches out again. Currently she's in a cage on her own, next to the main cage. We've replaced her bedding (corrugated card squares) with fresh towels to remove any chance of dust getting into the wounds & will change them every day. She's also on baytril, 0.25ml/day (she's quite big, weighing I think over 1.25lbs, though she might have lost a little weight in the last six months, due to age). Please, suggestions as to what we should do will be very welcome. Is it essential the wounds are closed? I'd have thought so. If so, how do we achieve this, given Mea thinks she knows more about ratty treatment than the vet? Any tips on nursing care, given the open wounds? Here are a couple of pics of Mea: http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0102.jpg http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0109.jpg & here are a couple of pics of the wounds, after the second stitching & Mea's second unstitching of the bigger wound (avoid if you're sqeamish): http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0144.jpg http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0145.jpg  SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t > Our current eldest, Mea, who'll be three around September, had major > surgery on Friday to remove two tumours. On the table they found a [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0144.jpg > http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0145.jpg What a beauty!! But that open wound looks scary! This happened to my mom's rat. If you can try to bandage it up, it would be much better for her. I know that this is next to impossible. Keep her cage super clean. And hopefully the Baytril will stop any infection before it starts. If it does become filled with pus keep it clean until you can get her to your vet. Keep it clean by flushing it with a saline mix, you can even use those contact lens solutions but make sure it's only saline and water. SignatureJoanne Owned by 20 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* > What a beauty!! :) > But that open wound looks scary! This happened to my mom's rat. If you > can try to bandage it up, it would be much better for her. I know that > this is next to impossible. We know :/ > Keep her cage super clean. And hopefully the > Baytril will stop any infection before it starts. If it does become > filled with pus keep it clean until you can get her to your vet. Keep it > clean by flushing it with a saline mix, you can even use those contact > lens solutions but make sure it's only saline and water. Thanks for the suggestion. We're waiting for a callback from the PDSA emergency line atm after they've spoken to a vet. A bit of good news: this morning she still had the two smaller wounds stitched closed, so the scene's at least no worse than in those pics. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t > Trouble is, by Saturday morning she'd pulled all but two of her stitches > out. We had something similar with our Barbara a while ago. I wrote up the whole ordeal at http://www.casualhacker.net/blog/2005/10/dont-pick-at-your-cuts/ We ended up making an Elizabethan collar out of x-ray paper (which the vet gave us) as described here: http://ratballs.com/RatTails/Tails084.html We found that once she had the collar on for a while (without being able to get out), she'd stop trying to escape from it and just accept it. Barbara's wounds didn't look nearly as bad as Mae's. Best of luck, Tim SignatureTim Newsome nuisance.at.casualhacker.net http://www.casualhacker.net/ >> Trouble is, by Saturday morning she'd pulled all but two of her stitches >> out. > > We had something similar with our Barbara a while ago. I wrote up the whole > ordeal at > http://www.casualhacker.net/blog/2005/10/dont-pick-at-your-cuts/ Thanks for the link. I'll go through it in a moment. > We ended up making an Elizabethan collar out of x-ray paper (which the vet > gave us) as described here: > http://ratballs.com/RatTails/Tails084.html I recalled a few mentioning trying something similar but no resounding success stories. This sounds very hopeful. I'll print it out & take it to the next vet we visit. Cheers. > We found that once she had the collar on for a while (without being able to > get out), she'd stop trying to escape from it and just accept it. Barbara's > wounds didn't look nearly as bad as Mae's. Thanks for the idea & instructions :) ...The PDSA have just called back, we have an appt at 2pm, which is in about two and a half hours. It'll take nearly two hours to get there as our luck's not much better than Mea's & the local train service is off today for maintenance of the line. We'll keep you all informed :) SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >>> Trouble is, by Saturday morning she'd pulled all but two of her stitches >>> out. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >success stories. This sounds very hopeful. I'll print it out & take it >to the next vet we visit. Cheers. I had a rat wear an e-collar for a while. It worked in that she couldn't get at the stitches, but she was really miserable. (There's a picture at http://tiger_spot.mapache.org/Rats/maia.html ) I wasn't at all confident that I could get it back on if I took it off to let her wash up and eat more comfortably; if you can do that it would probably help. Also, she took a really long time to heal, and bled some after the stitches were taken out. Surgical glue seems to work much better, but I don't know whether it's appropriate in all cases. --Theresa http://tiger_spot.mapache.org > I had a rat wear an e-collar for a while. It worked in that she > couldn't get at the stitches, but she was really miserable. (There's a > picture at http://tiger_spot.mapache.org/Rats/maia.html ) Aww, she looks so cute. Sad she only lived to about 18 months. > I wasn't at > all confident that I could get it back on if I took it off to let her > wash up and eat more comfortably; if you can do that it would probably > help. The PDSA restitched her under a general. She's back at home now with her custom collar. I'll post a pic later. Yup, she hates it. And us now. With it having a velcro fastening I think we will be able to remove it for periods - hopefully. > Also, she took a really long time to heal, and bled some after the > stitches were taken out. > > Surgical glue seems to work much better, but I don't know whether it's > appropriate in all cases. I don't know much about this, yet. Thanks for the post. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t > The PDSA restitched her under a general. She's back at home now with her > custom collar. I'll post a pic later. Yup, she hates it. And us now. She had the collar on for about five hours. Poor thing had porphyrin all around her nose & eyes. That had me worried but we think it only appeared abnormal as she hadn't been able to groom during that time. We took it off to give her a chance to eat & groom. An hour later & back went the collar. How long do you reckon we need to keep this on from now? She next sees the vet on Wednesday. Here's a pic of her with collar after her hour's break: http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0146.jpg SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t <snip> Bless. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Elizabethan collars after one of my boys, Charlie, had to have one. He didn't like it - I'd never heard a rat scream, it's an awful sound. When we realised that he couldn't get his paws to his mouth to eat, the collar got removed and binned! Alchemy > <snip> > Bless. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Elizabethan collars after > one of my boys, Charlie, had to have one. He didn't like it - I'd > never heard a rat scream, it's an awful sound. :-/ Sounds upsetting for all. > When we realised that he > couldn't get his paws to his mouth to eat, Yeah, I'd been thinking cats & dogs manage, then I realised this difference. Poor thing. > the collar got removed and > binned! I can see why, but with Mea she's now been stitched up three times with two GAs. I don't think health wise she can afford to keep repeating this, so the collar stays for now :( BTW One local breeder we know, Alison, (chair of the North East Rat Society, England) suggested she might have been picking at the wounds as a result of pain. She mentioned a pain killer called metacam. Anyone heard of that? SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> <snip> >> Bless. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Elizabethan collars after [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > a result of pain. She mentioned a pain killer called metacam. Anyone > heard of that? Yes! it would most likely help her a lot!! SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* Yes I have used it, It used a lot in dogs and cats as a pain killer. Alfie had it when he had his abcess drained. Quite good stuff. Did you ask the vet about that sticky bright coloured bandage they use on splinting legs and such like. I know Alison I was going to get some babies from her but she decided not to breed Dumbo's so I got my new boys from Clare Holmes in Birmingham do you know her? SignatureJackie - Texas <:_)~ and the Boys, Ronald, Scratch, Rupert and Wilbur, Toffee, Bonker and Chewy. http://community.webshots.com/user/mullins9 >> <snip> >> Bless. I have to admit that I'm not a fan of Elizabethan collars after [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > result of pain. She mentioned a pain killer called metacam. Anyone heard > of that? > Yes I have used it, It used a lot in dogs and cats as a pain killer. > Alfie had it when he had his abcess drained. > Quite good stuff. > Did you ask the vet about that sticky bright coloured bandage they use on > splinting legs and such like. Alison suggested that - I'd not heard of it. At today's vets visit our vet also suggested it & took Mea off to get swaddled. Five minutes later she was back with us. Two minutes later she'd wriggled out of the bandage, leaving it perfectly undisturbed, but Mea-less. So we had to put the collar back on. It's off now - see my other post "oh god, what now?" :( > I know Alison I was going to get some babies from her but she decided not to > breed Dumbo's so I got my new boys from Clare Holmes in Birmingham do you > know her? Clare Holmes? No. We live in the North East & don't have transport, so we've only really had dealings with local breeders, mostly. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> The PDSA restitched her under a general. She's back at home now with her >> custom collar. I'll post a pic later. Yup, she hates it. And us now. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Here's a pic of her with collar after her hour's break: > http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0146.jpg The collar is the only thing that stopped one of my ratties removing his stitches. He really hated the collar and you feel so sorry for them, but I gave him frequent breaks from it when I either supervised him real well (cos they will sneakily try and go for the stitches again as soon as the collar is removed) or encouraged him to fall asleep down my shirt or somewhere on me where I could make sure he left the stitches alone. If I remember correctly (it was about eight years ago now) I didn't have to used the collar for many days - two or three I think. He was a young rat though - as your rat is nearly three I'm not sure whether healing may take a little bit longer. Hope Mea wound heals well and quickly for her! Tracey > The collar is the only thing that stopped one of my ratties removing his > stitches. He really hated the collar and you feel so sorry for them, but I > gave him frequent breaks from it when I either supervised him real well (cos > they will sneakily try and go for the stitches again as soon as the collar > is removed tell me about it :/ ) or encouraged him to fall asleep down my shirt or somewhere on > me where I could make sure he left the stitches alone. Now that's a good idea for a means of supervision which I'd not thought of. Thanks :) > If I remember correctly (it was about eight years ago now) I didn't have to > used the collar for many days - two or three I think. He was a young rat > though - as your rat is nearly three I'm not sure whether healing may take a > little bit longer. That's what I'm hoping for, maximum. > Hope Mea wound heals well and quickly for her! Thanks, we'll pass on the good wishes :) SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> The PDSA restitched her under a general. She's back at home now with >> her custom collar. I'll post a pic later. Yup, she hates it. And us now. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Here's a pic of her with collar after her hour's break: > http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0146.jpg What a little sweetie... I bet a couple of days should be good, until your vet sees her. Give her lots of breaks though!! SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* >> Here's a pic of her with collar after her hour's break: >> http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0146.jpg > > What a little sweetie... I bet a couple of days should be good, until > your vet sees her. That's more or less what we were thinking - 2 to 5 days after the surgery. Hopefully till Wednesday will be long enough. > Give her lots of breaks though!! We plan on it. Hopefully tonight she'll also get to spend some time on the bed with the other rats who she hasn't been around since Friday (though their cages are adjacent). SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> The PDSA restitched her under a general. She's back at home now with >> her custom collar. I'll post a pic later. Yup, she hates it. And us now. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > We took it off to give her a chance to eat & groom. An hour later & back > went the collar. After a short period of trying a body bandage to restrict access (while at our vets), Mea was back with her collar. Now, yesterday after wearing the collar, I thought I noticed her face was slightly puffy. Tonight she's had another four or five hours with it on. Going to get her out this evening for a break, I realised I'd not imagined it, as the swelling was worse than ever: http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0150.jpg http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0151.jpg The porphyrin around her eyes was also much worse, but in the above pics has been swabbed away. I have to admit I'm panicking a bit. The collar has come off & will have to stay off. Must it be the cause? It didn't seem too tight; her gums looked okay & it even turned reasonably freely. Also she had it on when we arrived at the vets & the vet didn't comment on it being too tight, though she did say they weren't keen on them as they could cause neck damage. I can only imagine it must either be down to the collar or a coincidental allergy. Ideas anyone? If it is an allergic reaction perhaps it's down to a change in environment or diet? The only environmental change apart from use of the collar is replacement of cardboard squares bedding with towels (boil washed with the usual detergent Ariel). The only diet change is perhaps a greater inclusion of otherwise occasional foods such as soya milk, chicken & baby foods & a reduction in their dried mix. What on earth have we done to the poor thing? When I went to her tonight she seemed stiller than usual, but in all other respects, especially since the collar came off, she seems in good spirits, in the circumstances. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >>> The PDSA restitched her under a general. She's back at home now with >>> her custom collar. I'll post a pic later. Yup, she hates it. And us now. [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > other respects, especially since the collar came off, she seems in good > spirits, in the circumstances. Oh dear... that does not look good. If the collar wasn't on that tight, then she shouldn't have swollen up like that. Swollen face and neck can be a symptom of SDA. But a food allergy can cause exactly that. Remove all food from her and just give her blocks for now, or what she usually gets. (dog food?) Nuts can do this type of swelling too. Keep an eye on her and if it gets too bad, bring her to the vet for some anti-inflammatory meds. And give her extra cuddles from me. SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* > Oh dear... that does not look good. If the collar wasn't on that tight, > then she shouldn't have swollen up like that. Swollen face and neck can > be a symptom of SDA. I had to google that: http://ratguide.com/health/viruses/sda.php Nasty. I am right in thinking that wouldn't go away by itself in a matter of hours? > But a food allergy can cause exactly that. Remove all food from her and > just give her blocks for now, or what she usually gets. Only trouble is she was getting what she usually gets, just in different proportions :/ > (dog food?) Nuts > can do this type of swelling too. > Keep an eye on her and if it gets too bad, bring her to the vet for some > anti-inflammatory meds. The swelling I thought I noticed the other day was less apparent later on, I now assume due to the break in collar wearing. Likewise, thankfully, after last night without the collar there's now no noticeable swelling: http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0165.jpg http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0168.jpg It seems it must be the collar, even though it wasn't tight. Is it possible it caused some sort of lymphatic damage or blockage which resulted in the swelling? I wonder if even though it wasn't tight, when she tried to get comfortable with it on, she caused the collar to press against part of her neck triggering the problem? It was quite flat, meaning if she rested against something the edge might have dug in, if you see what I mean? > And give her extra cuddles from me. Will do :) BTW After a night without the collar, she's removed most of her visible stitches for a third time, but so far, touch wood, the wounds have stayed closed - I assume due to a combination of healing, subcutaneous stitches from the second repair job &/or glue. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> Oh dear... that does not look good. If the collar wasn't on that >> tight, then she shouldn't have swollen up like that. Swollen face and [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > stayed closed - I assume due to a combination of healing, subcutaneous > stitches from the second repair job &/or glue. I'm soooo glad it's gone down. It must be the collar. Another possibility is allergy to the plastic in the collar? What a little imp removing her stitches like that. Sending her lots of healing vibes and keeping my fingers crossed that it remains closed. SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* > I'm soooo glad it's gone down. It must be the collar. Another > possibility is allergy to the plastic in the collar? I'd not really thought of that. They didn't have any exposed film, so they gave us a piece of unused film on the grounds that was cheaper to them than having to restitch her (this was the PDSA) yet again. Anyone know what unused x-ray film contains & if one could have an allergic reaction to it? I'll ask our vet next Monday. > What a little imp removing her stitches like that. Sending her lots of > healing vibes and keeping my fingers crossed that it remains closed. Thanks. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t > BTW After a night without the collar, she's removed most of her visible > stitches for a third time, but so far, touch wood, the wounds have stayed > closed - I assume due to a combination of healing, subcutaneous stitches > from the second repair job &/or glue. She looks a lot happier now :-) It's so hard when you get a rattie determined to remove their stitches. I had a female (Holly) remove all of her stitches on the first night home, the vet sedated and stapled her, I had to hold her and I could feel each of the staples going in, he left the last half inch open for drainage incase of any infection. Luckily it worked :-) >> BTW After a night without the collar, she's removed most of her visible >> stitches for a third time, but so far, touch wood, the wounds have stayed [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > the staples going in, he left the last half inch open for drainage incase of > any infection. Luckily it worked :-) :) Mea's main wound has opened up /slightly/. Looks like there might be some infection - or it could be pre infection necrotising tissue. Anyhow, we're off to the vets in about four hours time, to see what patch up job they can manage. I think Mea must take after us - always making life harder for herself ;-/ SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t Her puffy cheeks and runny eyes and nose sure look like an allergy. Could Mea be allergic to any medication she is on? Perhaps the Baytril? The poor little girl. How stressed you all must be. Dewi. > Her puffy cheeks and runny eyes and nose sure look like an allergy. > Could Mea be allergic to any medication she is on? Perhaps the Baytril? I don't think so. She's had baytril before. Also the swelling went down as fast as it came up, once the collar was removed. Our vet thinks the collar caused a constriction, even though it didn't seem tight. Perhaps the padding wasn't adequate or it had something to do with how she rested against it. > The poor little girl. How stressed you all must be. It's not been fun. This morning we took Maddie in to have a pea sized lump removed; we brought in Mea again & they've kept her in to clean her up again & try something else. We pick them both up in a couple of hours, I hope - not yet heard how it's gone. With the wound being open & infected, they didn't want to bandage it, but think they might need to try a full body bandage to restrict her movement. Also, she said they'd consider steroids as they can reduce itching, even though steroids will suppress the immune system which isn't good when one has open infected wounds :-/ I think our vet is as desperate as we are to find a solution. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t > This morning we took Maddie in to have a pea sized lump removed; we > brought in Mea again & they've kept her in to clean her up again & try > something else. We pick them both up in a couple of hours, I hope - not > yet heard how it's gone. Maddie seems okay after her op, though as requested by the vet she's in a cage on her own until Monday. Her stitches are below the surface & the wound seems to be healing, touch wood. She's getting lots of out time, some with the other rats. This is what Mea looked like coming back from the vets: http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0179.jpg http://digitalrat.co.uk/temp/IMG_0180.jpg She still looks like that two days later, so at least the method's working this time. Not that she's happy about it. The bandages make it hard for her to get around her cage atm & she seems to be eating less. Again, lots of out time prescribed by us. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> This morning we took Maddie in to have a pea sized lump removed; we >> brought in Mea again & they've kept her in to clean her up again & try [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >hard for her to get around her cage atm & she seems to be eating less. >Again, lots of out time prescribed by us. Oh, the poor little pissed-off creature! That does look pretty effective, though. I hope she heals up quickly! --Theresa http://tiger_spot.mapache.org >> This morning we took Maddie in to have a pea sized lump removed; we >> brought in Mea again & they've kept her in to clean her up again & try [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > hard for her to get around her cage atm & she seems to be eating less. > Again, lots of out time prescribed by us. Oh the poor dear!! How long will she stay that way? SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* > Oh the poor dear!! How long will she stay that way? I don't know. We see the Vet next on Monday afternoon. I'm not sure what she'll say. Obviously it'll depend a lot on the state of the wounds when she inspects them beneath the bandaging. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> This morning we took Maddie in to have a pea sized lump removed; we >> brought in Mea again & they've kept her in to clean her up again & try [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > her to get around her cage atm & she seems to be eating less. Again, lots > of out time prescribed by us. Great to hear Maddies op was a success. Poor Mea, hopefully the wound will heal quickly now that she can't get to it. >> This morning we took Maddie in to have a pea sized lump removed; we >> brought in Mea again & they've kept her in to clean her up again & try [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > her to get around her cage atm & she seems to be eating less. Again, lots > of out time prescribed by us. Bless her heart, hope the bandages stay intact and don't bother her *too* much. Speedy healing to her! Tracey >> This morning we took Maddie in to have a pea sized lump removed; we >> brought in Mea again & they've kept her in to clean her up again & try [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > hard for her to get around her cage atm & she seems to be eating less. > Again, lots of out time prescribed by us. How are the girls now? SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* > How are the girls now? Maddie's doing well, but the vet has asked we keep her separate for another week. Mea's wounds are infected, but she remains well in herself, so we continue with the cleaning regimen. She still has her bandage on. That's likely to be on at least another week. What happens after that will depend on her progress. Thanks for asking & for all the well wishers here :) SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t > How are the girls now? Another update: Maddie's now off the baytril but still alone; she'll go back with the others on Saturday. Mea is making slow progress. She still has her bandage on. It will likely come off next Tuesday when we go back to the vet, though I think she'll still be a long way from healed. They'll probably need a light anaesthetic to remove the bandage as they had to use sticky stuff to get it to stay put & removal will probably cause distress. ATM she's still on baytril & metacam, with hibitane & torgyl for treating the wounds. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t > How are the girls now? Maddie's great. Been back with the others since Saturday. Mea's wounds are healing slowly. I'd put another picture up, but I haven't the heart at the moment. We had her at the vets again today as we found two more pea sized lumps. There was nothing visible four days ago & now they are quite obvious to the eye & touch. Surgery isn't an option, after all she's been through, so it's just a matter of time. We hope she'll recover from the original surgery enough to go back with her friends for a week or so before we have to have her pts. ATM she's still enjoying her food & out time. I hope she has another month. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >> How are the girls now? > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > pts. ATM she's still enjoying her food & out time. I hope she has > another month. I'm so sorry. :( I've had rats live an extra 4-6 months with their tumors. SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* >> Surgery isn't an option, after all she's been through, so it's just a >> matter of time. We hope she'll recover from the original surgery [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > I'm so sorry. :( Thanks. > I've had rats live an extra 4-6 months with their tumors. Kairi who lived to over three had three large tumours which were with her for nearly six months. Maybe Mea /will/ have a month or more - the reason we're more pessimistic is that these latest two have grown so rapidly & follow on quickly from the four which were surgically removed. If she dies very soon it'll seem very cruel given the suffering she's put up with in the last couple of months. C'est la ratty vie. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >>> How are the girls now? >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > I'm so sorry. :( > I've had rats live an extra 4-6 months with their tumors. Mea was put to sleep today. She'll be greatly missed. She'd lost a lot more weight, her wounds were still infected & she probably now had an infection in her womb. We agreed with the vet it was the least cruel option. RIP Mea. She never did get that damned bandage off :'( SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t >>>> How are the girls now? >>> [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > RIP Mea. She never did get that damned bandage off :'( I'm so so sorry. :( SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* >>>> How are the girls now? >>> [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > RIP Mea. She never did get that damned bandage off :'( Really sorry to hear your sad news. I'm so sorry Michael. Dewi. > Mea was put to sleep today. She'll be greatly missed. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > RIP Mea. She never did get that damned bandage off :'( >Mea was put to sleep today. She'll be greatly missed. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >RIP Mea. She never did get that damned bandage off :'( Poor dear. I'm sorry. --Theresa http://tiger_spot.mapache.org > Mea was put to sleep today. She'll be greatly missed. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > RIP Mea. She never did get that damned bandage off :'( I'm so sorry Michael. You did your very best for little Mea, now she is at peace bless her heart. Tracey >> How are the girls now? > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > ATM she's still enjoying her food & out time. I hope she has another > month. I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope she has several more months with you. Spoil her rotten :o) Tracey >>> BTW After a night without the collar, she's removed most of her >>> visible stitches for a third time, but so far, touch wood, the wounds [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > patch up job they can manage. I think Mea must take after us - always > making life harder for herself ;-/ Arg... My mom's rat did the same thing, opened up a huge wound. It got infected and full of pus. He was put on NovoTrimel aka Septra/Bactrim. We did daily flushings, gently on the wound not in the wound. We had to leave it open so the infection could drain and eventually, with the meds and flushings, it slowly closed up and now he's 100% back to himself. SignatureJoanne Owned by 22 rats. Webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/joanneb70 ------------------------------------------------------- ~Ignorance is not innocence but sin. *Robert Browning* > Arg... > My mom's rat did the same thing, opened up a huge wound. It got infected > and full of pus. He was put on NovoTrimel aka Septra/Bactrim. We did > daily flushings, gently on the wound not in the wound. We had to leave > it open so the infection could drain and eventually, with the meds and > flushings, it slowly closed up and now he's 100% back to himself. That's what we were about to start today, twice daily. Remove any pus/dead tissue; flush with a hibitane solution; flush with 0.5ml torgyl. Also daily administer orally 0.25ml baytril & 0.2ml metacam. This morning she'd managed to open up the second smaller wound on the opposite side. I think we might get away with the above treatment, but only /if/ she stops picking at the open wounds. So far her overall health seems okay. I'm worried soon the infection will become systemic & at three years of age (almost) she'll go down hill quickly. Silly little sod. SignatureMichael m r o z a t u k g a t e w a y d o t n e t |
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