Penny the mean rat has a boo boo.

[candypigpig]

We have two rats. Tifa and Penny. Tifa is the sweet heart, and Penny well lets just say she isnt so sweet. It almost seems that Penny will go out of her way to bite you. So, unfortunatly, we dont give Penny as much attention.

So lets get down to brass knuckles. I cleaned out Tifa and Penny's cage and nothing looked fishy then, but tonight when I fed them I noticed that Penny had a swollen paw and one of her toes were cut up at the knuckle. She keeps her injured paw close to her body and still uses it to eat move around and groom. I'm thinking she snaged it on the cage. I dont think Tifa would hurt her. I found this site the Rat Report

After a wound to a toe, it’s common for the toe to swell quite a bit and turn red. It’s not usually necessary to treat this condition and after a week or two, the toe will heal. If you like, you can give the rat an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen to help bring down the swelling.

What are your opinions/ experiences/ suggestions?? I'm calling the vet tomorrow about dossage for the rattie and if I should seperate the girls.

Penny may be mean, but my heart goes out to her poor paw.

Plus, any suggestions on her biting/ behavior problem would be helpful. She doesnt like to be held like Tifa does. It really makes me sad.

[candypigpig]

I really need some rattie advice...

[candypigpig]

Update. The swelling has gone down a bit. I could really use some advice.

[Percy's Mom]

You said yesterday that you were calling the vet tomorrow, which would be today. Have you spoken to your vet yet? The only advice I can really give you is that I would already have picked Penny up and taken her to the vet instead of asking us for advice and calling.

[bunnyluv17]

ibuprofen (ex: motrin) is toxic to dogs, so I imagine it would be even worse for a rat

[candypigpig]

Originally Posted by Percy's Mom

You said yesterday that you were calling the vet tomorrow, which would be today. Have you spoken to your vet yet? The only advice I can really give you is that I would already have picked Penny up and taken her to the vet instead of asking us for advice and calling.

As I mentioned in my first post I noticed it later in the day. Too late in fact to bring her to the vet. I did call today. The vet said to put neosporin on the wound and keep her cage clean, and if she isnt doing better by Tuesday to bring her in.

In regards to the other response about the ibuprofen, I did not giver her any and would not have untill the vet said how much to give. The vet did say she has perscribed ibuprofen to rats and would only give it to me after Penny was weighed in to see how much she would need.

My purpose for posting this is because I figured that other people out there have had their ratties have toe injuries. I wanted to see what other people had done. The vet said it wasnt necessary to bring Penny in , only if by Tuesday the swelling hadnt gone down or it looked infected.

[valerie k]

Medication Guide: Ibuprofen

you can give her childrens motrin at the doses given on this page. It will help her out alot. A rat has an extremely fast metabolism, so you think its a high dose, when its not for them. Check out the cage to see if there is a reason she hooked her foot. You should also put neosporin on the wound. As for her behavior, how old is she? What was her previous living conditions before you? Could she have been hurt or mistreated? It takes a while to trust train a rat who is skittish, sometimes, you never will. I had a rat, who just didnt like people.... I gave her the best of the best up to HER standards. I left her alone. I talked to her, But she didnt want to be held, I didnt hold her..... It would help to have a rat savy vet on hand. Alot of vets just dont do pocket pets.

[candypigpig]

Valerie K:

Thank you! I've made an appointment with the small animal specialist at a local vet on Tuesday (that's the next time she'll be in).

Penny wasn't abused to my knowledge. My boyfriend got her for me from a mom and pop place. I know CavyCages doesnt endorse pet stores and I dont either. Penny was sweet at first and then she just wasnt...??? I have no clue what would have made a bitey rat. But like I said she literally jumps at the chance to bite you. Her roommate, Tifa, is the sweetest little thing youd ever want to have and Tifa is older than Penny. So you'd think she'd be a good infulence. No clue.