My Little Robo Keeps Picking at a Scab

[luxbear]

Hi guys,

My 2 year old Robo accidentally cut himself yesterday (not sure how). Took him right to the vet, luckily they said it's only "superficial." Gave him some pain meds.

Today I was super happy because it had started to scab, but he picked the scab right off! The wound started bleeding again (but stopped). I've been cleaning it with a sterile solution the vet gave me, but how should I keep him from itching it?

[racinghamster]

Scabs can feel itchy which is why he`s possibly focussing on it. Keeping it clean with saline is good while it`s looking open and sometimes bleeding. Where is the cut on his body?

It will be a case of saline or just boiled, cooled water and keep an eye on it really and he should leave it alone at some stage. But if he doesn`t, it could become infected, which you don`t want. Check the cage for anything he could have done this on. Wooden items that may have rough edges or sharp bits. Feel along them with your fingers.

What pain medications did the vet prescribe? Seems strange to prescribe these if it`s just a cut and superficial? Also remove any sand that he has as this could irritate his wound. x

[luxbear]

The cut is on his right side, right in the middle (before the beginning of his back leg). I removed one wooden stick from there that I thought might've been the culprit.

They gave him pain meds (it's a liquid opiate, 0.25mg or less per dose), and I'm glad because now he seems a bit calmer. I asked him if he should be on antibiotics and they said no, it's not infected, and told me just to watch for signs of pus. :\

I've been cleaning the cut throughout the day with the sterile solution they gave me, and it's finally scabbing again. I'm praying he doesn't fuss with it. :(

[racinghamster]

Liquid opiate? No wonder he seems calm! Your doing well luxbear. Not too sure why a vet would prescribe an opiate though unless of course for pain as that`s what these drugs are. They usually prescribe Baytril antibiotic for cuts, bites, grazes but only if the wound is pussy or abscessed.

Try and let it heal naturally unless you feel it needs cleaning obviously. Sometimes too much fussing can keep the wound moist and prevent it from drying naturally. x

[Piebald]

Sounds like a pain and calming strategy which is working. I can understand holding off on antibiotic if the cut is well healed enough to be scabbing and shows no sign of infection-- save that bullet for when it's necessary. I agree that sometimes too much attention to the cut will be counter productive but keep an eye on it of course, It's probably ok if it bleeds a little if he picks the scab, that will clear it out. I hardly ever manage to let a scab fall off by itself :)