My rats pick the worst times to have medical problems! - Paw Talk

mtmaughan · #1 07-03-2007, 11:21 PM

I took my rat Jack to the vet last week because he was having some genital issues. His penis was stuck outside its sheath, and it wouldn't go back in. By the morning of his appointment, everything was fine, but I took him in anyway just to get the check-up. He got the all clear, but I was told to bring him back if it happened again.

Well, it's happened again, and it's even worse this time. I want to get him in ASAP, but tomorrow is a holiday! I'm just really anxious about the whole thing, and I know freaking out won't help anything, I hate that he has a problem and I might have to wait to get it resolved. I don't know if my vet will be open or not tomorrow. If not, I'm gonna try every vet in town to see. Otherwise, I'll have to take him to the emergency place 30 minutes away, and it's not really an emergency per se, so I'd hate to have to pay for the "emergency exam" as it's very expensive.

Ugh, I know I just have to wait till tomorrow to see what my options are, but I just thought posting about it would help. Aaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!

lilspaz68 · #2 07-04-2007, 09:12 AM

Your rat is suffering from paraphimosis.

Did you or your vet check for a penis plug? They are often the cause.
You can use mineral oil and encourage it back in, but definitely check for a deep penis plug and see if that's causing the problem first. Penis plugs can cause infections and difficulty peeing as well. You might want to put him in a hospital cage with white paper towel to see if he's peeing and if it looks normal.

Is he on abs right now?

mtmaughan · #3 07-04-2007, 10:20 AM

No, the vet didn't do anything because it was fine when we got there. He's not on any meds right now. He's still peeing normally, and I've been lubricating it with Neosporin. Last time I could manipulate it so that it went back in most of the way, but this time it's not budging.

How do you check for a penis plug?

lilspaz68 · #4 07-04-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtmaughan


	No, the vet didn't do anything because it was fine when we got there. He's not on any meds right now. He's still peeing normally, and I've been lubricating it with Neosporin. Last time I could manipulate it so that it went back in most of the way, but this time it's not budging. How do you check for a penis plug?

How old is your boy? When rats get older, less flexible, or are sick and just don't clean much they can develop penis plugs. Its the fun part of owning a male rat. Usually they take care of it themselves but once they are older, paralysed etc they will need you to take care of it. You need to use your fingers on either side and push that little penis out...all the way out. A penis plug usually is a hard waxy substance that you need to carefully remove.

My poor neutered boy let me use him as a demonstrator. I can't show it properly since its just me and Dilbert, and the camera.

Preputial Glands
These are small sebaceous exocrine glands (glands that do not secrete directly into the blood stream). The preputial glands are located towards the end of the prepuce (the sheath that covers the penis) that secrete smegma.
Smegma is composed of oils, moisture, and shed epithelial cells. It moisturizes the glans and in a healthy rat has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Smegma can, however form a “penis plug” that can interfere with urination and/or lead to infection if not removed.

mtmaughan · #5 07-04-2007, 02:02 PM

Well, I drove an hour to go to the only vet that would see rodents on the holiday. We're not sure of the cause, but she examined the penis and got it all the way back in. For now he's on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. He's only 3 months old, so it really should not be happening to a rat his age. She said the penis looked really healthy, aside from a bit of swelling. So I'm giving him the meds for 10 days, and she advised me to use a sterile lubricant (like KY Jelly) if his penis comes back out.

lilspaz68 · #6 07-04-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtmaughan


	Well, I drove an hour to go to the only vet that would see rodents on the holiday. We're not sure of the cause, but she examined the penis and got it all the way back in. For now he's on antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory. He's only 3 months old, so it really should not be happening to a rat his age. She said the penis looked really healthy, aside from a bit of swelling. So I'm giving him the meds for 10 days, and she advised me to use a sterile lubricant (like KY Jelly) if his penis comes back out.

Here is the link to paraphimosis on ratguide.com
Health Guide: Paraphimosis
Check out the Figure...its about a 7 week old baby boy's situation.

If this continues you might want to consider a neuter.

mtmaughan · #7 07-04-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilspaz68


	Here is the link to paraphimosis on ratguide.com Health Guide: Paraphimosis Check out the Figure...its about a 7 week old baby boy's situation. If this continues you might want to consider a neuter.

Yeah, I read that page the first time it happened. The vet did discuss the possibility of neutering, but we are hoping that it will clear up with the treatments he got this time.

Turkeyman · #8 07-04-2007, 03:48 PM

I can't offer much advice at this point, but I think you're a great rat mom.

mulder · #9 07-04-2007, 03:57 PM

yeah keep up the good work! best wishes

mtmaughan · #10 07-04-2007, 08:29 PM

Thanks guys! I'll let you know how it goes.