Rats screamed in pain? Why?

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Kim1005

Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2020
Messages
12
Location
Montana
I was petting my heart rat Zizou and seemingly out of nowhere, he started crying in pain and then proceeded to bite his tail. When I touch his tail near his butt now he cries.

Curious if anyone has any idea what could have happened? Did he just move wrong?? He was running on my bed, there was no fall or anything involved.

Can rats strain their muscles or something similar to how humans can? This is the only thing that would make sense.
 
They can absolutely strain/sprain things. He may have sprained his lower back or upper tail area. Sometimes they can hurt the nerve that travels down the spinal column and ends up running down the tail. These are the times the rat will squeak or cry out, run backwards, and sometimes. frantically lick the tail tip. These injuries often don't show any signs when you gently manipulate the rat/tail. It's only when he moves a certain way, that the nerves zing.
If he's in a lot of discomfort you can give meloxicam once a day or infant liquid ibuprofen every 4-6 hours for a couple of days. Both of these medications are good for pain and inflammation which helps with whatever is pressing on a nerve.
 
They can absolutely strain/sprain things. He may have sprained his lower back or upper tail area. Sometimes they can hurt the nerve that travels down the spinal column and ends up running down the tail. These are the times the rat will squeak or cry out, run backwards, and sometimes. frantically lick the tail tip. These injuries often don't show any signs when you gently manipulate the rat/tail. It's only when he moves a certain way, that the nerves zing.
If he's in a lot of discomfort you can give meloxicam once a day or infant liquid ibuprofen every 4-6 hours for a couple of days. Both of these medications are good for pain and inflammation which helps with whatever is pressing on a nerve.
Thank you,

What is the dosing guide for child ibuprofen?
 
20 mg/kg every 4-6 hours. Infant is much more concentrated so you can give less, which is the preference.

If you need help with doses, give me his weight and if you have infant or child ibuprofen.
 
20 mg/kg every 4-6 hours. Infant is much more concentrated so you can give less, which is the preference.

If you need help with doses, give me his weight and if you have infant or child ibuprofen.
I would have to buy one as I don’t have either. He is 740 grams
 
Try hard to get infant then.
Since he's such a big lad, his dose for Infant would be 0.37 ml and if it was Children it would be twice that.
Thank you. I got the infant kind and i think he is doing better. Booked a vet appointment just to see if there is a larger underlying cause.

I also have another question since you seem very knowledgable. My other rat spaz got in some fights with my younger boys during introductions (they're all living together now and doing fine). However I did notice that near the bit marks there is a larger bumo or lump forming underneath. Is this common after a bite? And does this mean its infected? I am going to bring him to the vet as well but I was curious if this is most likely not a tumor and just related to the bites.
 
Thank you. I got the infant kind and i think he is doing better. Booked a vet appointment just to see if there is a larger underlying cause.

I also have another question since you seem very knowledgable. My other rat spaz got in some fights with my younger boys during introductions (they're all living together now and doing fine). However I did notice that near the bit marks there is a larger bumo or lump forming underneath. Is this common after a bite? And does this mean its infected? I am going to bring him to the vet as well but I was curious if this is most likely not a tumor and just related to the bites.
I know I'm not lilspaz but that sounds like an abscess ! It's a very common thing for rats(even ones who don't fight) you can treat them at home with a warm damp compress to bring the infection to the surface of the skin and it should pop on its own.!(you may have to flush it out a few times depending on the depth). There's a good chance that he'll go home with antibiotics and that would also be a good way to get it gone for sure.

As for the one with the possible nerve problem I will refrain from commenting because lilspaz will have WAY better advice than me !
 
Thanks Kye. I agree with the possible abscess. Puncture wounds like from a bite drive bacteria deep inside the tissue. Then the top heals and the abscess starts to develop. Compressing with warm/hot damp cloth can help move the process along and eventually the skin will change/darken and even develop a scab where the abscess will open up and drain. Once it opens (expect foul smells from the bacteria), you will need to flush the cavity twice a day with isotonic saline, and never use ointments to encourage surface healing as the bacteria will end up stuck inside again and the abscess will recur. Healing from the bottom up to the top while flushing is best. Once it's more flat less cavity and no more pus is being produced you can stop flushing and let it heal.
 
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