I have a black hood rat. He is almost 2 years and a month old. I just found out he has a carcinoma tumor. The vets said it costs about $450 to remove it, which seems very pricey. The vets said there is a chance he might not wake up, but if I don't get it removed, it could get bigger to the point where it will somehow damage him. Is this price reasonable? I've heard people paying as low as $90 and the highest I've heard is $150. Also, would it be better to let him keep going and hope old age gets to him before the tumor does? Or would it be better to take the risk with the surgery. I understand if something goes wrong he'll at least stop going through any pain he might have now, but there's always my other rat. I've heard rats can die just for feeling lonely, so I'm afraid if one rat is gone, both will be within a short amount of time. Thanks for helping. =)
2006-11-18 10:42:13 · 13 answers · asked by Jin 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
What your pet has is a cancerous tumor. In my honest opinion, he would be better off if you had him euthanized. If he was operated on, there's a good chance he wouldn't survive the operation and there's no guarantee the cancer wouldn't return.
If you are worried about your other rat, pay plenty of attention to it and it will be fine. Yes, they can die from loneliness, but if you pay a lot of attention to it, it won't be lonely.
I'm sorry your rat is ill. I wish I had a better answer for you, but I think you should know the truth.
2006-11-18 11:00:06 · answer #1 · answered by rustybones 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is a lot of money. Before making a decision, ask the vet how many times they have performed the operation before and how many out of that survived. If possible I would get a second opinion and ask the same questions. I've heard from several sources that the survival rate for a young healthy rat is 50% or less, so the odds will be even lower for an older rat.
How well has your rat been up til now? If it has been snuffly or had signs of breathing problems in the last month, that can cause huge problems for anaethstic. Your rat is quite old as well which can cause problems in surgery.
With an older rat, I wouldn't risk an operation, especially to remove a tumour. There is no guarantee that the tumour wont come back or that the cancer was confined to the tumour, it could have already spread to the rest of the body. I would give the rat extra treats and when the time came that the rat was suffering I would take him to the vet and have him euthanized.
On the other hand, you've got nothing to lose, he's going to die anyway. It all depends on how you will feel about it. Will you feel guilty for not giving him every chance? Or will you feel better for being able to make his last days as happy as possible?
2006-11-19 07:47:27 · answer #2 · answered by kiffie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am actually thinking about doing the same thing as it will cost 400 bucks to get my rat's mammary gland tumor removed by a vet. I have background in biology and medicine but not a doctor. I can perform the simple resection and suturing with the proper aseptic technique. The only thing gets in the way is limited if not none access to anaesthetic suitable for a rat. But I am not giving up yet and still looking for alternatives. I am confident that this is doable with my experience and knowledge. Just needs the right meds.
2016-05-22 01:39:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
These days, I am not surprised at the price the Vet is asking for surgery on your rat. A friend of mine took her hamster to the Vet and got charged 100 dollars for the exam and treatment with antibiotics. The hamster died, it had wet tail which has a very poor prognosis.
I would talk to your Vet about the age of your rat, the different possible outcomes and make a decision from there. Rats are very intelligent critters and make great pets. Sorry to hear about yours being sick!
2006-11-18 11:00:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
2 of my female rats have mamorary tumors and I could get it removed for $100 each. Im not removing it because it hasn't gotten in the way of their daily tasks- eating, drinking, playing. And it will grow back, and they might not wake up from surgery. As long as it isn't in the way of things, you don't need to get it removed.
When rats don;t have a friend, they don;t die of feelinf lonely. They want friends so they have someone to play with at night time and to groom each other.
Good luck!
2006-11-18 11:11:47 · answer #5 · answered by I ♥ my fjords! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry your pet is ill. But I think the cost of the surgery is way to pricey for a rodent as the life expectancy for them is not that great anyway. Or look for a vet that will do the surgery at a more reasonable price. Good luck and best wishes to you and you "rat".
ewwww!!!!!!!!!
2006-11-18 12:18:57 · answer #6 · answered by Badkitty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have had 2 rats, both got mammory tumors, I had both removed at once. one rat was clear for the rest of her life, the other needed another tumor removing at a later date. so I would say theres a 50/50 chance of it returning.
years on, I now have another rat, if she got a tumor, I would not hesitate to have it removed.
2006-11-18 23:38:42 · answer #7 · answered by sherrie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I totally agree with skipper! And it's true that even if the tumor were to be removed, another one may very well crop up. This is an extremely common problem with ratties. You can continue care and play with him until you can see that he is in pain and/or he is not able to function normally. After that, it's time to put him down.
2006-11-18 12:46:34 · answer #8 · answered by zoointheburbs 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am very sorry to hear about your rat. In your situation, I think I would have him humanely put down. Rats, as posted previously, have a very short life span, and he is nearing the end of his anyway.
2006-11-18 11:00:37 · answer #9 · answered by Heather S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I would get another vets opinion and price. Also, i would buy another rat now so you ahve 3 so if one dies the other will have another rat it is friends with
2006-11-18 11:48:11 · answer #10 · answered by Skittles 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋