My pet rat has a rather large lump under her armpit and we and the vet are pretty sure that its a tumour shes about 2 years old and shes had the lump for about a month now but now she has almost over night developed breathing problems,shes not moving around well and shes hasnt got good balance,shes not eating or drinking as much as she used to and she used to be really active but now shes really quiet i love my rat and i wonder if theres anyones got any advice on what could be wrong with her and what could be done about it i have considered putting her down but i would like to see if theres anyhting else we can do before we have to even consider that cause for me its a last minute kind of thing
2006-11-03 14:57:51 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
My Rat Itchy died earlier this mourning she wasnt in any pain and it happened rather quick its rather sad but im glad shes no longer in apin thank you all for your answers and concern it means a lot to me at least i got to hold her while she died she was loved so much by me and the rest of my family and i will miss her so much forever
2006-11-05 10:49:29 · update #1
You didn't bring her home something to eat from Bristol-Myers Squibb did you?
2006-11-03 15:02:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had a rat that did exactly what you are describing. My vet said it was a cancerous tumor that all rats are extremely prone to getting. I had her go in for surgery to have it removed and it lenghtened her life by about 6 months. However, it cost me $90 to have done. 2 years old is pretty old for a rat though. The chances of surgery prolonging it's life for much longer at this point is a hit or miss thing. Hope this helped. Sorry to hear about this. I know how awful it can be. Just try to make her/his life as comfortable as possible. Good luck.
2006-11-03 23:09:40 · answer #2 · answered by Snowflake 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Rat lives, on the average, between 2 to 5 years. She could be just getting old. I think the kindest thing in this case is to put her down; tumor are difficult and expensive to treat and the treatment would likely not expand her lifespan by a significant degree. I think you should said goodbye to ur rat and let her go peacefully; two years for rat is quite a long time to live and she has lead a full life.
2006-11-03 23:02:30 · answer #3 · answered by smart son of a bich 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, with rodents: Never used wood shavings, the fine dust gets into their lungs and causes bloody noses, breathing problems, and other health risks.
Second of all, rats are extremely prone to cancerous tumors. It could be that the cancer has spend to your rats organs, and slowly your beloved pet down. Usually rats only live for 2 to 3 years. It's sad, but the humane thing to do is to put it down.
2006-11-04 00:06:52 · answer #4 · answered by anniwhoozle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The lump may be starting to interfere with her breathing. That is what it sounds like. Has your vet tried to aspirate the lump? That is, try to remove liquid from it? If it is a solid tumor this may not work. If he can, it could certainly ease her breathing and she may get some spunk back for a bit. Keep loving your very smart and loving pet rat. You have given her a very nice life. :) I will say a little prayer for you and her.
2006-11-03 23:05:24 · answer #5 · answered by yowhatsup2day 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i've had 2 pet rats, and my daughter has had 6 (that i know of). rats seem to get tumors, and none of ours ever made it past 3 years old. kinda sad, cause they DO have personalities.
sorry, but putting her down is probably the only option other that just waiting for her to die. she could go on like that for a few more months, but you're looking at the end of her life. :(
2006-11-03 23:17:21 · answer #6 · answered by NeverReady 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can hav ethe lump removed. It can be expensive though. The lump is most likely putting pressure on her lungs and chest making it difficult to move and breathe. Take her back to the vet and figure out the best way to help her out of her pain. Good Luck!
2006-11-03 23:02:05 · answer #7 · answered by mirage8t4 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry about your situation, my 3yr old rat had a tumor and i had to put him down, but on the brighter side you can always raise another rat!!!
2006-11-03 23:08:18 · answer #8 · answered by rattagous70 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put her down as she is most probably in a great deal of pain.
Wouldn't u want her to put u down if the roles were reversed ???
2006-11-03 23:39:29 · answer #9 · answered by asuuquf 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its most likely a tumor. tumors make you feel like theres a HUGE bug bite on you. you feel like its too big, and of course it hurts. your rat it probly in pain, and its probly scared. you should get it removed asap.
2006-11-03 23:23:33 · answer #10 · answered by Porky 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋