Abscess on my rat's neck

[BoBa]

A few months ago one of my rats formed an abscess on his neck but it fell off naturally after a couple of weeks probably because of the antibiotics we gave him.

Now my other rat has I think an abscess on his neck. I have been giving him the left over antibiotics or a few days but it is turning black and he is grooming it. He hasn't changed his behavior e.g. eating and moving around fine. But I don't know whether to take him to the vets or carry on giving him medicine and maybe wiping the area with pure water?

Why is it turning black?
What should I do?

 

[SQ]

If it is an abscess, then it will develop a black spot/area
Please post pictures.

I assume the antibiotics have not expired. The amount given is based on the weight of the rat, the strength of the medication and the type of medication so I hope you were able to make the proper calculations.

Please read this information http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary_skin/abscess.php

 

[BoBa]

I am pretty sure it is an abscess as it popped up very quickly overnight and it is black with red around. I will try to post photos but right now unable to.
So since it is most likely an abscess it will probably rupture naturally. The black spot seems like a good sign. Meanwhile I will keep their cage as clean as possible and wipe the area. I don't know if the bay trail still needs to be given or if I should do a warm compress.
Thank You so much for the info that website helped a lot

 

[SQ]

You are welcome.
That website is a vet approved medical site for rat owners so it is an important resource imo

All the best to both of you
Please let us know how it goes

 

[jorats]

Any chance we can get a picture?

 

[BoBa]

Thank goodness it was an abscess. Ruptured yesterday so I am currently wiping it down with a sterile saline solution. Bodger is happy now

 

[lilspaz68]

Instead of wiping over the abscess try flushing it with warm saline to clean out the cavity and promote better healing

 

[BoBa]

Thank you.
The area has healed well!