QUESTION: My rat has an enlarged foot. Whats wrong?
ANSWER: This rat probably has Bumblefoot. See an experienced ratty vet! Bumblefoot is hard to treat so just any vet might not do any good. It is actually an infection under the hock of the rat (only hind feet), that is extremely hard to treat. I have had some success in treating guinea pigs with this disease, but it takes some hard work.
Generally, besides seeing a vet, you need to make sure there are no hard surfaces in the cage whatsoever, keep the foot clean all the time and give extra nutrition to make sure it can heal. But it will probaly not heal without the help from an experienced vet!
Copyright Eva Johansson.
Last update: 11th of August 2006.