My male rat has skin cancer. Have any of your rats had cancer? What did it look like, and how did it end?

Question

He has a bunch of open sores and pus-filled lesions (sp?) all over his body. Has anyone seen anything similar in their rats?

I've already taken him to the vet, and he's on an antibiotic. The vet said all we can do is make him comfortable, but I was just curious if anyone else has seen something like this.

Just to state it again, I've already taken him to the vet, who confirmed that he had skin cancer. To the jerk who said that if I can't afford to take my pets to the vet, then I shouldn't have pets: Both my horses, both my dogs, both my cats, and one of my two rats are on file with my local animal clinic, and yes, I can afford it. Oh, by the way, you're reported.

If you've never had a rat, don't bother answering...

Answer 1

I had a mouse with skin cancer although at first we didn't realise that's what it was. She lived with three other mice and I really thought she'd been in a fight because she had a wound on the top of her leg. After about a month's treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories it became clear there was more to it than this - the wound just wouldn't heal up and then others started appearing on her body. I eventually had her put to sleep because she had stripped all the flesh off her leg and was obviously not going to get better - she looked quite horrific and I couldn't have her living like this.

OK, this was a mouse, but this is how skin cancer would present in any rodent species. Take the rat to the vets if you haven't already - antibiotics and steroidal treatment are probably your best bet, but perhaps don't be too hopeful. Cancers are common in mice and rats, though skin cancer would be one of the rarer ones so we've both been unlucky.

Chalice

Answer 2

So sorry to hear your rattie is sick. My past rats have not had cancer, but I did have one with congestive heart failure, which was a condition similar in the way that I could only treat it, not cure it.
The best thing to do is make him as comfortable as possible. Your vet can probably prescibe you an oral painkiller which will help with any pain he may have. He may not be able to groom himself properly; if this is the case, gentle baths with warm water and a non-stinging shampoo like Johnson's No Tears will help keep his sores clean and make him more comfortable. If you feel that he's in too much pain and wish to put him to sleep, have the vet give him gas before the injection to knock him out. Because rats are so small, the needle for euthanasia must be injected into the heart, which is very painful. Gas beforehand would help so they don't feel the pain. Good luck.

Answer 3

I don't believe this is cancer. Tumors in rats are usually round balls felt under the skin, and they don't produce open sores and infections.

I'm thinking these are infected subasceous cysts. They are ugly enough to sure look like cancer. Yes, I have experienced these lesions from time to time on my male rats. Some of my males have had one or two of them, but I had a naked male rat that was plagued with them in his later years.

What is a subasceous cyst, you ask?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_cyst
http://ratguide.com/health/figures/cysts_figure_2.php

It has to do with the production of the male hormone, Testosterone, which in turn produces an oily, orangy grease that we in the Rat Fancy have come to call "Buck Grease". This grease can clog the subasceous pores and set up an infection.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=Buck+Grease+in+rats&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&ico-yahoo-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&ico-wikipedia-search-value=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSpecial%3ASearch&p=Buck+Grease+in+rats

Are you able to send an image to me at [e-mail]? If I saw the problem I could confirm this for you, and let you know if it is a job for the vet, or if it something you can treat yourself by holistic means. I've always treated them holistically and they don't come back.

Edit (since asker added more details)
Since the vet has comfirmed that it is skin cancer then my answer is no, I have never seen this type of cancer in the 200 rats I have had.

I spent some more time and did some research for you. I went to 3 of my 12 rat forums to get some answers, and this is what I found.........

..........A skin cancer once mistaken for a fungal infection
http://ratguide.com/health/figures/lymphoma_figure_1.php
This is a rare and nasty cancer. Is this what your boy has? I am so sorry :*(

Sometimes antibiotics, and steroids make things worse by suppressing the immune system. With a suppressed immune system his body can't help in the fight to heal itself and you just end up in a vicious circle. What is this antibiotic? I might be able recommend a better one? Flagyl is commonly used for skin problems in rats.
http://www.rmca.org/Articles/dchart.htm
http://ratguide.com/meds/antiinfectives/metronidazole_flagyl.php

I never give up a fight until the fight is over. There is always hope, never give up when there are other options to try.
Holistarat
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistarat

spazrats
"my life has gone to the rats"

Answer 4

Rats are very prone to tumors, especially as they get older. If your rat is not treatable, it is time to have him put to sleep so he doesn't suffer. A vet that is familiar with treating pocket pets should be able to tell you if it is treatable or not.

Answer 5

i am so sorry about your rat. i wish i could help you, but out of the four rats i've ever had, that has never happened

Answer 6

nope. i dont have a rat.......