Bungle’s abscess
by Katie Goude
Bungle, my wonderful agouti hooded boy was normally fit and well. One day I noticed a small hard lump on his lower tummy, which appeared from nowhere and grew quickly.
I thought this lump was a 'nasty' and, due to its rapid growth and the darkened patch on its surface, was particurly worried. It resembled the traits of a cancerous lump. We (my vet and I) treated Bungle with antibiotics in case of infection, but this didn't decrease the lump in size. If anything it continued to grow and the black area grew larger, seemed to become thicker and took on a hardened texture. Hair was being lost around it too. We decided that if there was no improvement with a different antibiotic within 24 hours I'd take him in to have it removed.
I had been in touch with a few friends and family regarding this lump on my fella and I was convinced it was something nasty. When I told my worries to a close friend with lots of rattie experience she suggested it was in fact an abscess and would (from what I described) be ready to 'pop' anytime. My relief to hear this was huge.
Anyway, with my renewed hope I lifted up my lad for a cuddle… and 'whooo hooo' the abscess burst! Are you laughing? You should be! It was all down me. Oh how nice! NOT! Good job I have a sense of humour and I was alone that evening! I think I wanted to laugh but the smell was a little too strong for me. To be honest that's an understatement - if you have never experienced a rattie abscess you don't know what you’re missing! This was my second of this type, but by far the worst in years and years of horses, dogs, cats, bunnies - you'd think I'd be at least semi-prepared, but NO!
The lump subsided almost immediately; of course it did, it had expelled itself all down me. It went from being a mass of about 3x3.5 cm that hindered Bungle’s ability to walk properly to – once being well cleaned using a syringe and diluted hibiscrub into the wound area – almost flat against his tummy!
The dark area remained with a slight opening to the side against the clean flesh (as you can see in the photo). There was what appeared like a small tear to the side, easily large enough that the puss was able to drain out and I was able to get in with a small syringe to clean the wound, and then use cotton wool doused in hibiscrub around the outside area. In what seemed like no time the black, hard scab came away revealing an amazingly clean site underneath. I continued regularly throughout the day to keep this area clean.
We had in the meantime been back to the vets where I told him of what I had learnt and the outcome, all of which (despite the smell) we were of course delighted with - a learning curve for all. Things are not always as they seem, well not for me (thankfully) anyway, though I do think the vet I saw did highly suspect an infection too, but was equally as concerned. Due to the situation of this lump being located so close to the penis, especially when it was a large lump before it burst, Bungle was not able to clean himself too well and so needed help (the things we do eh?)! It was explained to me there are glands in this area and it could well be related to this, who knows? I am extra careful when checking him and since then I have thankfully seen nothing more.
What amazed me probably above all else was the fact that he healed so rapidly. My Saluki came with various marks and scratches that took time to heal and she had quite a nasty tear to her skin once that also took weeks to heal over. In comparison ratties seem to heal with such amazing speed - it's almost like watching one of the nature programmes fast-forwarding a flower opening and closing.
In the space of 11 days from 'opening up' to becoming the tiniest of pin-prick marks, finally there was nothing left to see. What for me is truly amazing is this healed with nothing but, yes, some baytril for a few days previously and with thorough regular cleaning. I did not have a need to return to the vets as it all went to plan, just as the vet and the sound advice I received from experienced friends suggested. Of course should I have needed to I would have returned to the vets. Today you can see if you look closely a slightly whiter area as the skin has re-grown and healed but you have to really know what you are looking for!
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