One of the aggressive adult rats I adopted to help out of their aggression, Pemy, bit me. This was the most severe bite I have ever received from any rat, so I have documented it with some photos. If images of blood make you queasy, please be careful when viewing the photos.

The point of this gallery is to:
1. WARN that wearing gloves around aggressive rats is critical. It was always my fault for getting bitten. The old, "Oh I only have to reach a few inches in to grab that whatever."

2. Explain what I did for wound care.

a. The wound: A profusely bleeding bite to lower part of right little finger just above palm, on palm side. I was about 8 feet away from the kitchen sink. I dashed over to the kitchen sink where I clamped some paper towels over it in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

b. I kept pressure on the paper towels for about 1/2 hour. I knew I eventually needed to wash it with soap, so I was going to have to risk more bleeding to do so.

c. I gathered my supplies in the bathroom: more paper towels, soap, two large opened/prepared bandaids, and some sterile saline wound wash.

d. Over the sink, with water running, I opened the paper towels off my finger and profuse bleeding started immediately. Superficially washed with Ivory soap and then saline. Quickly applied the 2 bandaids which began to soak through with blood.

e. After the wash and bandaging, I iced my hand, laying it down in a big bag of ice, because I saw a lot of swelling in the finger.

f. Over the next hour, I contemplated whether I needed to go to the hospital for a possible stitch. The rule of thumb for stitches is this (confirmed by doctor at hospital): Stitches are needed if bleeding won't stop. If stitches are needed, it has to be done within 12 hours of the injury. After 12 hours, the tissue can't knit together properly. At that point you'll have more scarring and a slow healing pattern (wound will open, close, open close), and you will just have to go through that process however long it takes.

g. Within about 2.5 hours of the injury, I headed to the hospital, thinking I needed a stitch. I kept the bag of ice with me and iced my hand until the doctor finally saw me.

h. At the hospital, the wonderful staff cleaned the wound after soaking it briefly. The cleaning was surface cleaning only because the nurse said the bleeding that had happened up to this point, had actually been extremely helpful to clean out the wound. To my surprise I did not need a stitch because the bleeding had stopped. Even if it started up again, I would be able to stop it again. An x-ray showed no bone injury either (which would have indicated a possible bone infection could occur).

i. Treatment: a few days of penicillin to head off any Rat Bite Fever (a rare illness). No tetanus shot required. I am current on tetanus which needs to be given every 5 years. No rabies shot because rats do not get rabies (even laboratories are unable to induce rabies in rats). Wash twice a day with soap, replace bandage daily. Ice not required as the swelling had minimized.

j. I did have to answer some questions required by law with any animal bite. A nice assistant wrote my answers, which were: what kind of animal? Animal's location. This form is actually related to dog problems and is intended to protect the public. I doubt anything will come of this form in regards to my rat. However, I'm prepared to answer more questions if needed.

k. The hospital staff were fantastic. The doctor asked me to educate him about pet rats and any inoculations they must have (none), and possible problems (e.g., rare Rat Bite Fever). And the nurse mentioned her own pet rats from years ago. I received compassionate care and understanding from all the staff.

l. I'm re-dedicated to helping Pemy Rat out of her aggression... and to do so SAFELY!

I hope this helps other pet rat owners know what kind of issues to think about regarding bites and how to think about emergency room visits.

MOST IMPORTANLY: Wear gloves wear gloves wear gloves.