Pain management

Hi everyone. My little Misty went in for a spay today with a suspected tumour (booked in the day of this conversation: https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/vaginal-bleeding.36141/

Turns out she had something "very strange" in her womb, which has now been removed.

She's my third rat to have had a spay, and she's by far the one I'm most worried about. She's puffed up and side-sucking and seems to be struggling to walk. The vets gave her opioids but I'd like to help manage her pain. Does anyone have dosing levels for ibuprophen and details on how soon after an op/opioids she can take other painkillers? Also, will metacam help?

Did the vet give her an injection of Metacam after surgery?
If so it should be good for 24 hours
Can you contact the vet and let them know that she is in a lot of pain
Did they discuss pain management with you because she will need pain meds for several days to a week?

I answered you on Real Rat Lovers Want to Know correct? Your girl weighs 340 grams?

Hi both - yes, Lilspaz. I posted this before I got the RRLWTK message.

She'll be on metacam for week or so, with enrobactin and biosolvon (to stave off an existing breathing issue).
She made it through the night. I'm going to check on her again now and give her the first dose for today.

Thanks for responding.

She will only need metacam for about 5 days, as rats heal so fast. The initial pain is what we worry about. Good luck with Misty

I was advised by the vet to keep the Metacam going a bit longer as an anti-inflammatory as she had a recent URI.

She's doing a bit better already - eating bits of dark chocolate and sweetcorn.

Sounds like you have things under control, but what you discribed - the stretching and side sucking is what we call owie stretches - it means they are in pain. I always get a metacam and buprenoèphine shots before leaving the vet and then metacam and tramadol for pain management as needed at home. Home she heals up and has no further problems..