[Pomperella]

My rescue boy Mario is off to the vet today as i treated him for mites/fleas with "spot-on" (wasn't sure what he had, he was itchy) and although he stopped itching and scratching he developed a lump under his chin. This came up on friday late at night so i called the vet in the morning, and they couldn't see him until today (Tuesday). The lump seemed to be from where he was itching and although it has gone down now it is now BLACK :? . i have no idea what it is, but obviously am still taking him to the vet.

any ideas anyone?

wish him luck at the vets, he has never been before.

also, i am going to arrange the neutering, so he can be with my five girls.

 

[kerkam]

Im not sure but maybe an abcess from an infected scratch - anyway good luck and lots of healing vibes

 

[lilspaz68]

When a lump swells up quickly and then develops a black spot its most likely an abscess. That black spot is where the skin is weaker, a scab will form and the abscess will rupture. Teh vet should lance the abscess and put you both on a regimen of soaking, softening and flushing...yummm.

 

[Pomperella]

Lilspaz68: what is soaking, softening and flushing? i can't get anywhere near his face! i rescued him at 8 months, before that he had not been held much and bless him, although he is a sweetheart he is not amused by mummy interfering in his face region!!!!!!

Kerkam: thank you for the healing vibes

we are off to the vet soon i was gonnan put him in his carrier in an open rucksack so i could cycle him up there but it doesn't fit in the bag so we gotta walk. wanted to get him there as soon as possible to stop any extra fear but oh dear!

 

[lilspaz68]

Lilspaz68: what is soaking, softening and flushing? i can't get anywhere near his face! i rescued him at 8 months, before that he had not been held much and bless him, although he is a sweetheart he is not amused by mummy interfering in his face region!!!!!!

Kerkam: thank you for the healing vibes

we are off to the vet soon i was gonnan put him in his carrier in an open rucksack so i could cycle him up there but it doesn't fit in the bag so we gotta walk. wanted to get him there as soon as possible to stop any extra fear but oh dear!

Hmm that will make life tricky then. I would guess your vet will lance and clean out the abscess and then put him on abs. An abscess needs to heal from the inside out, otherwise a scab forms on top trapping in the infection and it just keeps recurring.

Here's a pic of what I mean with the black mark on the skin...this is a neuter abscess but they all look the same.

With a standard abscess we have to soften the scab off, and flush the cavity at least twice a day until it is really healing.

 

[Pomperella]

Hi Lilspaz: i just got back from the vet, my messages are sporadic because my internet connection is not working properly so i do apologise in advance when i don't reply to people straight away!

mario had mites which i knew and they are now gone when i treated them. the black thing was actually dried blood (yuck) from the lump that had gone down. it was an absess type thing, with pus and stuff when she took they scab off. i have to give him baytril orally for 9 days and she gave him a shot at the time. i have to also clean it with salt water.

poor little guy he was so stressed but we popped in to our local pet shop for a half hour after and he enjoyed being made a fuss of by the pet shop man!

thanks for the advise!

 

[lilspaz68]

Sorry hun, you will be softening the scab, removing it and flushing teh abscess cavity with saline. I use a damp warm cloth and hold it on the scab while the rat is in my lap. Once its softened it comes off easily, then you flush out the cavity. I have even had to scrape the cheesy pus out carefully...blech.

Good luck, its a difficult place to treat

 

[Pomperella]

ooooh ewwww! gross! thanks so much for the information, i am going to give it a go with mario! he was such a good boy that the vet i should start tomorrow to let him recover a bit first. it is a horrible big cavity, ick :S

 

[Burdiepie]

good luck with mario. luckily ive never had to deal with this problem before, but i can imagine he will put up a fight. you are a good mommy

 

[Pomperella]

thank you burdiepie!

tee hee he just ate some of my eyelashes for the first time whilst snuggling on my shoulder, i feel so blessed! i am going to try more scritching with him as he is alone. also, i asked about neuturing, it is only £38 for his weight (450g) yay!!!

 

[Pomperella]

update: trying to put a saline solution dipped cotton bud near marios face not going well. he bites it...not aggresively but then runs off with it and "kills" it. i never seen him have so much fun! ****! might try it with a cotton wool piece instead but have no idea how to get near his face!