Bumblefoot or a Sprain?

[AgitatedPelican]

Today I noticed that my rat has a round bump on his ankle and he acts like it hurts, just not too much to move around. Its only one bump on the inside of his ankle, it isn't bright red or deeply bruised- maybe a light purple in a few areas. The swelling doesn't go throughout his leg and he can stand on it easily, he just favors the opposite foot.

Any advice, experiences, or information would be helpful, unfortunately he won't be still in a good position for me to get a picture.

 

[lilspaz68]

Hmmm. How old is your rat? Have you had him a long time or did he come to you like this?

Bumblefoot is usually on the heel of the hind foot but I have experienced it on the side of the ankle from.a rescue who had broken his hock prior to me getting him.

 

[AgitatedPelican]

Hmmm. How old is your rat? Have you had him a long time or did he come to you like this?

Bumblefoot is usually on the heel of the hind foot but I have experienced it on the side of the ankle from.a rescue who had broken his hock prior to me getting him.

I got him from a pet store, hes somewhere just before or just after 2 years. I've had him for a while and never had foot trouble. he has flooring over the wires in his cage, paper bedding, and fleece blankets.
Baby Advil is helping, and it's looking neither better nor worse this morning.

 

[lilspaz68]

Keep trying to get that pic if you can.

How long has he had the bump on his ankle now? You could definitely try giving him infant liquid ibuprofen (if you get me a weight I can work out a dose for you) and see if that helps.

 

[lilspaz68]

This was Sirius's foot when I first got him, before I started treating for bumblefoot.

 

[lilspaz68]

i see the pic when I edit it, but it won't post

 

[lilspaz68]

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h...Midland Boys Apr 17 2014/Apr2414Sirusfoot.jpg

 

[AgitatedPelican]

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/rattiluv/Unnamed Rats/Midland Boys Apr 17 2014/Apr2414Sirusfoot.jpg

Teeny's doesn't look infected and he doesn't have more than one. Think I should keep with the pain meds for a few days and watch for signs of bumblefoot?
He doesn't lick it or anything like that. He just holds it up

 

[lilspaz68]

its very unlikely to be bumblefoot but wanted to give you a picture to compare to on the ankle.

try the ibu and see how he is in a few days.

 

[AgitatedPelican]

its very unlikely to be bumblefoot but wanted to give you a picture to compare to on the ankle.

try the ibu and see how he is in a few days.

Thank you so much for your help

 

[AgitatedPelican]

His entire leg is swollen up to 1.5 maybe 2 times its original size. We are going to the vet tommorow.

 

[lilspaz68]

Oh dear, I'm sorry. Is the sweeping hot or cool feeling?
Bad sprain, break or infection.

 

[AgitatedPelican]

Oh dear, I'm sorry. Is the sweeping hot or cool feeling?
Bad sprain, break or infection.

The vet said either an infection or cancer. We're doing antibiotics until Monday. Got a steroid/antibiotic shot and pain killers. If its cancer then we amputate...

 

[lilspaz68]

Keep trying for a pic

 

[AgitatedPelican]

Keep trying for a pic

Its pretty gnarly so be warned, it didn't get anywhere near this until this morning

 

[SQ]

how is he doing now?

 

[lilspaz68]

That looks more like either a bad sprain or an infection. You will need meloxicam and an antibiotic like baytril.

 

[lilspaz68]

This was my Tonka girl. I used metacam and baytril as and it got better.

 

[AgitatedPelican]

He is doing awesome! His foot is back to normal and we are watching to see if the bump on his ankle goes down and deciding what to do from there.

 

[lilspaz68]

If the bump is hard and not causing and doesn't grow, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The swelling is the worriesome part IMO. I forgot to mention that when the swelling gets that bad the foot can "sweat" as body fluids are forced through the skin. Its scary but is relatively normal. Just in case you run into this again, its best to be prepared with knowledge.