Not so happy

[ladyjosephine]

So I'm watching these rats of the breeder I got Dai kin from.
She married 2,5 weeks ago and wanted to go on a honeymoon but there was nobody who wanted to watch these guys.

I'm a big fan of both of the boys, they are really sweet. So I didn't hesitate. But one of the boys had an abscess on his jaw, something that's very dangerous for rats because most rats die from it.
He had to under go surgery, and he almost died.
So I was very happy that it was healing and the wound was clean.

But yesterday I discovered a new one, on the same spot
His owner knows about it, but she can't really help at the moment.

I'm so worried, because it's not my own animal and today he wasn't really helping so I couldn't drain the abscess and there is a huge swelling on his cheek/jaw so I know there's a lot of pus in there. The wound was closed again so I had to remove the hemostasis but he wouldn't let me do this.

I just burst into tears because I feel so helpless.
Almost 80% of the rats with jaw-abscesses die, so I'm nervous and scared that he'll die, It would be kinda my fault because I failed to take proper care of his abscess

At the moment he's sleeping in my purse, he's such a sweetheart.
I could just start crying again, it's so unfair.
I'm leaving him alone for today and tomorrow morning I'm taking him to the vet so they can open up his wound.
His owner doesn't want him to under go surgery again, because it's not in the best interest of the animal(I can understand that, he almost died the last time and it took him almost 3 days to get the anesthesia out of his body and he still isn't his old self).

So I'm keeping everything crossed and I hope all goes well tomorrow.

[Die Fledermaus]

It was not your fault the abscess could not be drained. You did what was possible, as much as possible.

You are wonderful to care so much and do so much.

I am puzzled. The vet is going to drain it. . . but how does that differ from an "operation"?

Best wishes to the rat, whose name you didn't give.

[pinky]

Sounds like you did more than the average caretaker would do. And now you're taking the rat to the vet. You're far more of a hero--you're not someone who should be blamed for what's happening.

Yes, hopefully all will go well tomorrow. Best wishes, LJ.

[Die Fledermaus]

BTW, I would be very concerned about ever caring for someone's pets. . . just in case something went wrong even if through no fault of mine.

And Robin is right.

[ladyjosephine]

I went to the vet. he opened the abscess but today the wound was closed already, although I drain it every day. I get the feeling there's a tumor underneath/in the abscess

[Die Fledermaus]

Sadly, rats and tumors go together all too often.

Best wishes.