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Pet Rats/Rat Absess?

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Expert: Sandra Todd - 6/17/2008


Question
My pet rat has had facial swelling by his left eye. It is hard  and has a wound on top of it. We can't get our rat to stop scratching it and he keeps opening the wound. We went to the vet and he gave us tobramycin for his eye and two antibiotics:  enrofloxacin and doxycyc, but he didn't tell us what he thought it was. I was wondering if you knew what it is, what else I can do, and if there's any way I can get him to stop scratching. He's eating fine and is still very playful.

Answer
Has anything drained from it? Did the vet press it and extract anything from it? Is there an odor?

It sounds like an abscess and the vet gave the eye medication to avoid bacteria from causing trouble with the eye itself.

I would hold a warm compress on it to see if it comes to a head.  

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Sandra Todd

Expertise

Please refer to my website, Sandys Critter city. Click the link below. Should it fail to take you to my website, please just go to sandyscrittercity.com. There may be alot of information for you that may help with your problems so please refer to my site as well as asking me whatever it is you are interested in knowing. I am here to assist you the best that I can in most areas concerning your rats! Critter City As one of the top experts here at allexperts for 2008, I am happy to be able to help advise others on the proper care of pet rats. I am a rat care specialist/advisor for area vets (I am NOT a Veterinarian nor do I imply that I am in any way) and have 20 plus years experience working with rodents. I can advise you on the most current treatments available to your rat for common and also complicated ailments that seem to affect domestic rats during their life time. I do telephone consults and have even had some wonderful Vets call me to compare notes/stories. I also have training in animal behavior with the main focus being the study of rodent behavior. I also have experience with wild rats, raising one myself.

Experience

My expertise Includes the following: 1. Education on prevention of tumors, lung and heart disease and disease of the kidneys too. 2. Up to date treatments for tumors in rats,both benign or malignant tumors. 3. The most current treatments used successfully to treat lung and heart disease 4. Prevention and treatment of the mycoplasma organism that our rats are plagued with since the day they are born, among other common ailments that attack our rats, just to name a few. My job as a rodent consultant is to educate the owner on proper care of the animal but in no way does my advice take the place of seeking professional treatment by a qualified Veterinarian. However, I will contribute to this site by answering your questions about raising pet rats and any problems that may arise regarding their health, diet, husbandry and over all well being of the rat to **the best of my ability.**

Organizations
I maintain my website, Critter City and update it often to keep up with current treatments concerning pet rat health care. Please click the link above to take you there!



Publications
My own website of course, and also I have brochures on rat care that are found in various animal clinics in my area. I have also written an article for a rat and mouse magazine focusing on surgery on rats. The magazine is a UK based magazine.

Education/Credentials
Mentored by highly noted exotic specialists in my area.
I am a member of the ASPCA.


Awards and Honors
Was honored by being chosen to be one of the top 50 experts of 2008

Past/Present Clients
My past clients have been through various animal clinics and I also am mentor to new rat owners that reach me through here and my website too.

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