Pet rat bite again what to do to stop swelling?

was bitten by my pet rat last night at around 230 am. It is a deep wound that has tissue? from the inside coming out of it. I cleaned it 2 times with antibacterial soap at 230 am and then applied a band aid. It swelled up immediately after the bite and felt warm. It still feels like this and it's 5 hours later. (its now 730)

The area around it is very sore and still swollen. Not too much on the red side at all except for the small amount of blood coming out this morning and the tissue which is still sticking out. the area around it doesn't seem red.
This morning at 630 am i washed it again with the soap and re wrapped it (not too tightly though)

My biggest concern is nerve damage due to swelling for a long period of time and I am trying to figure out a way to reduce the swelling. I started ice this morning and will continue this throughout the day.

If I take advil (pain killer) this should help with the pain but will it do anything for the swelling?

What are some ways to stop the swelling.

I am keeping an eye out for weird red lines coming from around the wound as well as fever and other such symptoms. if it starts to change color or any of those symptoms occur i will go to the er (i dont have a dr where i am that i know of)

I am going to head down to the store to ask the opinion of the pharmacy about what i should do with it at around 430 this afternoon and probably get some antibiotic cream.

My question(s) are, what will help reduce/stop the swelling?

Is it normal to have swelling after a cut that bad?

How long is too long for swelling and when do i have to worry about nerve damage?

I was bitten by the same pet rat 3 days ago and i was able to get that wound to heal nicely even though that was deep. I haven't been showing any signs of sickness from that one so i think i will be ok as far as disease is concerned (pet domesticated rats rarely cause problems with disease from bites)




Its slightly warm. i have been icing it
it's not red and it has no pus. it looks clean except swollen

anyone have this happen? how do you stop the swelling?

how long should i watch it and what should i watch it for. it seems ok minus the slight warmth and swollen/pain but it looks ok no pus no redness

some photos of right after

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8695/...

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/5783/...

this guy knows he's biting me and not food. it's not just a bite, he attacked. Ever since i gave him a couple of baby cage mates he has been actively attacking me.

I dont need rabies shots and i had a tetanus in the last 10 yrs though i could use another. its feeling much better right now. It isn't warm anymore since the ice and the swelling went down since this morning.

The rat was never like this. I am in animal rescue and i have never been bit this bad from anything.

And not all dogs that bite get PTS I have a pretty mean dog and we have lucked out with her.

I dont have kids and my mom doesn't live with me. I worry about my cats. One has been bitten in the nose by him and bled but he was OK so i think i will ask the rescue i work with if they have someone that would want him and can work with him.

If i see puss or anything I will be taking a rush over to the ER

keep puttting ice on it you dont have to worry about any nerve damage but if i were you put ice on it and kepp it on it for a while its just like what you would do to help a bee sting, to stop it from biting you give it a little tap with your finger on its nose and tell it NO BITING thats what i do for my ham and shes never bit me since, but if that doesnt work and you give it treats try to stop giving it treats and tell it If you bite you dont get treats (i know it sounds crazy) you should be fine tho the real probleme is getting your rat to stop biting you if those dont work try putting a treat on your hand then it will come on your hand and it should be fine :)

-syddles

You need a shot. Go to the ER and get it done as soon as you can. And get rid of the rat if he's biting you.

A "deep" bite by any animal needs a trip to the emergency room to be cleaned and you probably need shots.

You really need to lose the rat.

Dogs thet bite get put to sleep. Why are you putting up with a pet that both doesn't "love" you and actively tries to hurt you? What will you do when the rat bites a small child or your mom?

you will not need shots if it is a pet just put ice on it and give the little guy a chance they cant tell the difference between food and your hand dont give him up or he could end up snake food wouldnt you feel bad if that happened

Other than the swelling, the bite doesn't look very bad. I would just put an ice pack on it to help reduce swelling, and keep it clean.

The finger is a very sensitive part of the body, and it is quick to swell when injured. You seem smart enough to know the difference between basic swelling and what needs a doctor's attention. :)

As for the rat, do you think it's purely behavioral? I had one rat that would ''attack'', and it was territorial. He was a sweetheart when NOT in his cage.

Anyways, you mention it started when you gave him cage mates. Separate him from them, and see if that changes things. If not, find someone who is experienced with caring for 'biters'.

Take care!