[Rattymommikaandmori]

Her gross, necrotic abscess opened last night. I cleaned it with a warm washcloth and used a syringe with saline to clean it out. I posted this same picture on reddit, and someone made me feel really awful, telling me to take her straight to the emergency vet or she was going to die. She's on antibiotics, the vet doesn't open until 6, I don't know what to do. Is she going to die? He said she's suffering, but I don't think she is, she's happily eating, walking around, drinking and grooming. Help? But please be kind.

 

[lfraser06]

She absolutely needs to see a vet A.S.A.P.!

You say she's eating and behaving normally and I have to take your word on that. However, the worry is she will become septic.
You say she's on antibiotics ....which ones and where did you get them - had a vet actually seen her since you first posted about her? This has been going on for 8 days now.

I'm sorry if someone on Reddit treated you harshly - but this is a serious issue for her and yes, it can kill her.
Where are you located that your vet opens at 6? maybe someone will have some ideas of a vet close to you that can treat her.

 

[Rattymommikaandmori]

She absolutely needs to see a vet A.S.A.P.!

You say she's eating and behaving normally and I have to take your word on that. However, the worry is she will become septic.
You say she's on antibiotics ....which ones and where did you get them - had a vet actually seen her since you first posted about her? This has been going on for 8 days now.

I'm sorry if someone on Reddit treated you harshly - but this is a serious issue for her and yes, it can kill her.
Where are you located that your vet opens at 6? maybe someone will have some ideas of a vet close to you that can treat her.

Shes on sulfatrim. I absolutely would not lie about her behavior. If she was being lethargic and not herself I would've stated it. She just ate a cheerio and had some water like 10 mins ago. I took her to the vet 6 days ago and got her antibiotics.
I live in Utah. We have one emergency exotic vet. The other vet i go to, I have an appointment on Wednesday. The emergency vets office said their exotic doctor won't be in until Monday. I'm sincerely trying my best. And I'm fucking heartbroken okay?

 

[lfraser06]

I live in Utah. We have one emergency exotic vet. The other vet i go to, I have an appointment on Wednesday. The emergency vets office said their exotic doctor won't be in until Monday. I'm sincerely trying my best. And I'm fucking heartbroken okay?

No one said you weren't. The meds she's on are probably not the best meds for what's going on. Keep giving them to her until you can get her to a vet, though.

You may also want to consider using an online vet (if they have them for exotics) to see if you can get her help any sooner.

Also, see if she'll let you wear gloves when you handle her. (mine won't, gloves seem to freak them out) and if not, make sure to wash thoroughly after handling her - to keep yourself safe.

This link may provide a bit more information for you, as well as care and cleaning of the infection.

 

[Rattymommikaandmori]

No one said you weren't. The meds she's on are probably not the best meds for what's going on. Keep giving them to her until you can get her to a vet, though.

You may also want to consider using an online vet (if they have them for exotics) to see if you can get her help any sooner.

Also, see if she'll let you wear gloves when you handle her. (mine won't, gloves seem to freak them out) and if not, make sure to wash thoroughly after handling her - to keep yourself safe.

This link may provide a bit more information for you, as well as care and cleaning of the infection.

I know nobody said i wasn't, I'm sorry. I haven't slept in 72 hours because I've been watching her all through the nights. I'm so tired and stressed and I just want her to be okay. An online vet is a good idea i didn't know that was a thing

 

[Tinytoes]

Did you see the vet? They should not charge you and treat the abscess as follow up treatment.

For future reference, keep flushing it and keep it open, continue the warm compresses. Express any yellowish pus that builds up, and let her keep it clean. Allow it to heal from the inside out. It will take a long time, several weeks. But each day you should see less necrotic tissue, and more pinkish tissue. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, as that will destroy any healing tissue.

I have treated many abscesses in different animals, and they usually heal without incident if an infection does not set in. Good luck, and let us know how she's doing!

 

[Rattymommikaandmori]

Did you see the vet? They should not charge you and treat the abscess as follow up treatment.

For future reference, keep flushing it and keep it open, continue the warm compresses. Express any yellowish pus that builds up, and let her keep it clean. Allow it to heal from the inside out. It will take a long time, several weeks. But each day you should see less necrotic tissue, and more pinkish tissue. Do not use hydrogen peroxide, as that will destroy any healing tissue.

I have treated many abscesses in different animals, and they usually heal without incident if an infection does not set in. Good luck, and let us know how she's doing!

Well you're very right, i am seeing less and less of the black tissue and less puss, and more pink tissue! Thank you for letting me know that's a good thing. I talked to an online vet who saw pictures and said it looked like it was healing and that she should be okay. She's still acting normal, if not more energetic today than she has been in a while. I go to the vet on Wednesday.

 

[Angel12]

Her gross, necrotic abscess opened last night. I cleaned it with a warm washcloth and used a syringe with saline to clean it out. I posted this same picture on reddit, and someone made me feel really awful, telling me to take her straight to the emergency vet or she was going to die. She's on antibiotics, the vet doesn't open until 6, I don't know what to do. Is she going to die? He said she's suffering, but I don't think she is, she's happily eating, walking around, drinking and grooming. Help? But please be kind.
View attachment 305539

When my rats have had an absess, I've just kept cleaning them untill no more puss can be seen with a syringe and salt water. Clean them at least once a day. It's smelly but it will heal ^^

 

[Tinytoes]

Well you're very right, i am seeing less and less of the black tissue and less puss, and more pink tissue! Thank you for letting me know that's a good thing. I talked to an online vet who saw pictures and said it looked like it was healing and that she should be okay. She's still acting normal, if not more energetic today than she has been in a while. I go to the vet on Wednesday.

Good job! Glad to hear she's doing okay. It's a gross learning experience, but now you know what to do if it happens again

 

[Newtorats]

Glad she’s doing better