Pet Rats/rat wound

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Expert: Sandra Todd - 10/31/2009


Question

Rat wound
hello, i have a male hairless rat that is roughly 8-9 months old. he always gets a few cuts here and there that go away within a few days. but about 2 weeks ago he scratched himself behind his ear. it as a small scrape at first and i thought that it would heal just like any of the others. a few days later i noticed it got bigger so i started to watch him very closely. i noticed that he keeps scratching everytime a scab developes, opening it and making it get bigger. now it is the size of my finger tip. i've been putting neosporin on it after cleaning it,and just today i got liquid skin to put on it to keep bacteria out and hopefully create a barrier between his nails and the wound. i'm keeping it very clean but i'm still concerned about infection,and i don't know what i can do to make it heal.


Answer
There really is not much else you can do aside from trim his nails for him and keep it clean. I think the liquid skin may make a big difference although if his nails are sharp, he may scratch it off eventually.

How is he getting these wounds etc??

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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