2007-02-08 13:12:59 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Female rats are prone to mammary tumors. These are normally benign, encapsulated tumors and are not malignant cancers. With that said, they will continue to grow and interfere with muscles or internal organs in the area that they grow. Surgery is the only way to remove them, otherwise the only other option is to enjoy her for the months, or year she will continue to be with you.
Only a vet can determine if the lump is an abscess, sebaceous cyst, or a tumor. Withdrawing some material from the center of the lump, called a needle aspiration, and looking at this material under a microscope, will reveal infection, cheesy material, bloody liquid, or nothing at all. Infection = abscess, cheesy material = cyst, bloody liquid or nothing = mammary tumor.
Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats (Rattery and Rescue)
http://spazrats.tripod.com
Specializing and Educating others in the care of pet rats for 10+ years
2007-02-10 17:21:00 · answer #1 · answered by spazrats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rats are prone to tumors, but they are also prone to abcesses. Neither is pleasant, and they don't have to be a death sentence.
If you feel the lump ant it doesn't seem attatched to anything it could be an abcess, like a really big pimple under the skin. Use a warm (nearly hot) wet facecloth and soak the lump. Try giving her a treat to keep her still. If it is an abcess it will come to a head and burst. This is very unpleasant smelling and really gross, but it needs to be squeezed empty and then flushed with sterile saline. It will heal very quickly once it's empty, but it could come back if it isn't flushed completely.
You can also take her to a vet who will lance and drain the abcess for you (My vet charges only the office visit to do this).
If it is a tumor, she should be taken to the vet to have it removed, sooner is better. My vet charged 45$ to remove a small tumor from one of my girls (I have 14 rats)
Check out the rats rule forum at http://www.goosemoose.com for more help, the people there are very knowledgable and willing to help.
2007-02-09 14:53:28 · answer #2 · answered by Shar 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Female rats are very prone to developing cancerous tumours. A visit to the vet is in order.
2007-02-08 15:35:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
it really is probably a mammary gland tumor. you opt on to take her to a vet and likely get it surgically bumped off. If not then it is going to proceed to make stronger till it compromises the rat's well being.
2016-12-03 22:27:59 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing unless you intend on taking her to the vet. It is a tumor. It will grow and grow until it ulcerates (burst) After it burst it will smell really bad and she will definitely need to be put down.
So enjoy your last few months with her. Just went thru this with two rats.
2007-02-08 13:21:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like cancer.... My rat died of cancer lump on back
2007-02-08 13:19:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take her to a vet and see what they say.
2007-02-08 13:27:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
don't anything can be done. my hamster have it too the vet told me nothing can be done but takecare good care of her and let her have her best time until she left.
2007-02-08 13:32:23 · answer #8 · answered by Ghost 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am afraid your furry friend might have a tumor.
2007-02-09 15:56:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
have a vet look at it it may be cancer!
2007-02-08 14:31:13 · answer #10 · answered by kat_luvr2003 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋