I made a very big mistake.
On Sunday I had the frat boys (George, Jack, and Jim) out on my bed. I had Oliver out with me, because I feel so sorry for the poor guy now that he's lost Leather.
Now, the reason Oliver was housed with Leather (who'd been spayed) is that previous introductions with the other boys went poorly, and George is usually puffy and hissy as soon as he suspects another rat has been near me. For this reason, I haven't been thinking of trying to move Oliver into one of the boys' cages, but rather getting him neutered in hopes he can live with the girls.
But Sunday I took leave of good sense.
I was sitting near the bed, and George jumped to my knee. To my surprise, he wasn't a big ball of fur, and neither was Ol. I let them both wander back to the bed, and for a few minutes all was calm.
Then all wasn't calm, and Oliver and George were at each other with terrible squeeling and bared teeth. I jumped to separate them, and I got them separated. But when I picked up George, he was still in a fury, and he bit me.
Now, I've had a couple of bitey rats, and Curly once got me all the way through a fingernail, but it was nothing like this. George went through the knuckle of my right index finger. It hurt like I can not explain.
I really can't give a coherent account of what happened right after...the sight of my own blood makes me woozy. Victor got the boys away (Oliver had a few small bites, nothing major, and I don't think George was hurt at all) and took me to an emergency clinic. By the time I saw the doctor, I was crying I was in so much pain.
Three stitches, two shots, two hours, and $688 later I left. I have yet to be able to bend my finger...it is still swollen like a hot dog...and on Monday I will start physical therapy. If I can't use my finger after that, it's surgery. The antibiotics make me feel like I have the flu and everything I do with my right hand hurts...a big reminder of how I screwed up.
Please folks...don't ever try to break up a rat fight bare-handed, and take introductions, especially between grown males, slowly and carefully. You do not want to go through this.
Posted by Abita at September 8, 2005 07:22 PMOh my gosh. I'm so sorry. I had a friend who got bit like that and also had to go to casualty. Did the dr give you anything to draw the blood out of the finger joint. That might help (like when you jam a finger and it swells with blood.) Take lots of vitamin C. Maybe change antibiotics. My rat bit my finger so hard once they x-rayed to see if he had broken the bone. It took ages to heal. Aren't pets fun?
Posted by: Eanna at September 9, 2005 02:09 AMOooch!! thats sounds nasty.... and some very good advice, hope your finger gets better soon.
Poor old Oliver... sounds like he has had a bit of a hard time..
Posted by: colleen at September 9, 2005 02:15 AMyikes...I'm sorry...I feel queasy just reading this...hope it gets better for you asap...
Posted by: ratty at September 9, 2005 07:48 AMOh, thank you for the advice and I hope your finger gets better. I've never been in that situation yet and hopefully never will. I will remember your words and situation. ~Rat Mom
Squeek *blush* get better ~Rodentia
Posted by: Salsa, Pip, Fig, Jorje, Aeowen, Narnia, Josie, Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect at September 10, 2005 06:12 AMBugger!!! That is really nasty! Hobbes bit me by mistake when he was first introduced to Riff and Riff was trying to hump him, but nowhere near as bad a bite as with you! Hope it feels better soon!
Posted by: Shamisen at September 11, 2005 12:32 PM