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 #1875669


Ammeratsu
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 Tumor...

I think my poor rat has a tumor. =( There’s a lump on her neck that feels like a bug bite if you poke it, but if you take it in your fingers and dig under, it feels like a little bebe stuck in her neck. It doesn’t seem to pain her. It’s about the size of a airsoft bebe(Not like, the metal ones for a real bebe gun, but the plastic ones people shoot each other with) and it’s hard as a rock.

Will she die? =(

This is her



10/05/08  08:46pm

 #1875722


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1875669


 Tumor...

wow she’s a baby. you should get the tumor removed and get her spayed. spaying females prevents tumors. though it is odd for her to get one at that age.
10/05/08  09:36pm

 #1875758


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1875722


 Tumor...

Ugh. how much does this cost? And I would really prefer not to get her spayed... She was going to be a future breeder.
10/05/08  10:25pm

 #1875763


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1875758


 Tumor...

By the way, this litter was very unhealthy. There were a lot of them and only 3 survived. One male and two females. My sister took the male, I took one female, and another person took the other female. My sister’s died of a mysterious cause, the other female got really sick but recovered, and now this female has a tumor. =(
10/05/08  10:33pm

 #1875817


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1875763


 Tumor...

are they pet store rats? pet store rats should NOT be bred. their genetics aren’t known and so because of "rat mills" that supply the petshops, most if not all of the animals are line bred. and not bred for health or temperament so most of the litters will be sickly or have health issues. if they’re breeder rats then you got bad ones. also if she has tumors whether you want to or not, she shouldn’t be bred. she has the genetics for tumors and will pass them to her babies. you will just keep having sick rats. just thought you should know.
10/06/08  12:37am

 #1875818


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1875817


 Tumor...

oh and vet prices differ but for one of my rescues that got tumors i spent about 1300 in three weeks on spaying and removing two tumors. sadly she died during the spay. she was about 1.5 years old. spaying is best done when young.
10/06/08  12:39am

 #1875821


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1875818


 Tumor...

Well, I got the breeding part. I never thought of it like that. She’s not a petstore rat. We bred her ourselves but, apparently it didn’t work too well.

=/ My family’s not in the best financial situation. Not sure we can do that too easily...
10/06/08  12:44am

 #1875839


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1875821


 Tumor...

ahh well i do understand that. i know there are places in my area that help with low cost spay and neuter...maybe you could try that? or make her comfy until her time comes if you can’t find a way to help her. by pet store rats i meant her parents. i myself don’t get breeder rats. i do rescues but then again i don’t breed. it’s a personal choice but it helps keep cages free for new rescues in need of tlc. for future reference unless you know the genetics of the animal, breeding is iffy. even some breeder line rats will have problems but a responsible breeder will fix the rat that introduced the issue or retire them as a breeder. still it’s sad to see such a baby suffering. all the best to you and your little ones.
10/06/08  02:47am

 #1875896


Skullkeeper
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1875669


 Tumor...

It may not be a tumor . She could have had an injury. I would wait and see if it gets larger or if it goes away. Most tumors are not cancerous and do little harm any ways . If it is a tumor it is probably not painful either . I would just keep an eye on it for awhile .
10/06/08  08:58am

 #1875912


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Skullkeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1875896


 Tumor...

it’s true that most are benign but if allowed to grow it will interfere with the animal’s life and bring down quality of life and mess with her body. it can make them eat less, push on organs, etc. i do not agree that tumors "do little harm". though i agree it may not be a tumor. though i don’t know what injury would cause what is described.
10/06/08  10:20am

 #1876416


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1875912


 Tumor...

Thanks for the info, guys. I’m going to wait and see if it grows. If it’s grown noticeably or seems to be causing her pain, I will put her down. Those are my only options.
10/06/08  11:10pm

 #1876465


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1876416


 Tumor...

i’m sorry to hear that though i agree it’d be for the best in the situation. good luck to you and her. if you still have her mother, i wouldn’t breed her again since this litter was so sickly. maybe not the father either to be safe. again, good luck.
10/07/08  12:55am

 #1876542


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1876465


 Tumor...

Yes, we still have the mother, and I do believe we won’t be breeding her again for her temperament and health.

There’s no change yet, and it still doesn’t seem to be causing her an pain.
10/07/08  08:52am

 #1876584


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1876542


 Tumor...

that’s good. poor little one.
10/07/08  10:37am

 #1878072


Rae rae
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1875669


 Tumor...

just remember that rats are used in labs. this is because they are so prone to getting things like cancer that it’s easy for people to test things on them. getting them spayed may reduce the risk of things like uteran cancer but it probably won’t help other types of cancers and tumors. my friend had a rat named baby and she was one of the hairless rats. she began with one tumor on her side at about the age of 3. she then got another on her other side. one of them became really large and the vet removed it. it didn’t matter because it came right back and kept spreading. rats get cancer and tumors like dogs get the mange. it’s more common than you think. another worry i have is you asking how much removing the tumor costs. first of all, she is your responsibility and it’s your duty to take care of her. if you don’t have the money to take care of her than you shouldn’t have her. you especially shouldn’t be breeding her or any other rats and have even more babies that you can’t afford to take care of. secondly, nobody here knows how much it would cost. no matter where you live it’s going to depend on what vet you see. you need to have it removed and have it sent to the pathologist and see if it is malignant or not. please be responsible with any pet you have. think of it as your child in the sense of making sure it gets proper care and not just something to breed and make money off of or have fun with like a science experiment. sorry if this sounds harsh but i’m so tired of people asking advice, then when they are told they need to see a vet, they freak out and ask, HOW MUCH MONEY IS THAT. if you can’t afford an animal’s vet care don’t have one, point blank.



10/10/08  02:31am

 #1878189


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Rae rae   In reference to Message Id: 1878072


 Tumor...

lab rats getting tumors does not have to do with domestic ones. that is a myth. spaying prevents both mammary and pituitary tumors. for your friend’s rat if she had spayed it, it would’ve been highly unlikely that the tumor would’ve first shown up. it only IS common if people do not spay their females. there are so few cases of malignant tumors. most are mammary tumors and most are benign. some people like me live much too far from a GOOD vet and i refuse to take my animals to a vet that told me my stroke victim had an ear infection when i explaining her seizures. i like to know how to help my animals and i have treated rats, ferrets, guinea pigs, etc. a good deal of my animals here at home. for something like a tumor, i’d take them in though. to the one two hours away. sometimes that isn’t an option though.
10/10/08  10:53am

 #1878190


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1878189


 Tumor...

from debbie the rat lady-
"The idea that pet rats are prone to tumors because they are descended from lab rats engineered to get tumors is absolutely false. This is a myth. For the most part, pet rats are not descended from lab rats (rats were domesticated for pets first and only later were used in the lab), and they certainly would not be descended from a specialized strain of lab rats bred to get tumors. In fact, there really is not such thing as a strain of lab rat that is more prone to getting tumors. When they want to test a treatment for tumors they have to give the rats a chemical to make them get tumors in the first place.

Please, do not perpetuate this myth.

The reason female rats are prone to getting mammary and pituitary tumors is based on their hormones, and is also related to the fact that in the wild a rat would never live long enough to get these tumors. It is only because we have domesticated them that they live as long as they do and are therefore able to live long enough to have problems with these tumors.

The reason rats are so prone to respiratory infections is because of the mycoplasmosis that they all have. This also has nothing to do with lab rats. Originally mycoplasma was a big problem in lab rats as well until it was eliminated in the babies by delivering them by Caesarian section while the moms were submerged in disinfectant (yes the moms were sacrificed) and the babies hand raised.

Debbie "The Rat Lady""
10/10/08  10:54am

 #1878459


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1878190


 Tumor...

Jeez. Just because I can’t spend 1000 bucks on a rat means I shouldn’t own them? It’s not my fault I’m in a bad financial situation. Not everyone can afford this stuff. If she’s got a cancerous tumor, she’ll be put down. It’s just not possible right now to spend that much money.

I am perfectly capable of responsible care for my pets.

Also, I do believe that rats are used in labs because their anatomy is really close to ours.

And I will breed my rats if I wish to breed my rats. I’m perfectly capable of buying food, bedding, and medicine for my rats. =) I do not plan to make any profit off of these babies. It’s a hobby.

By the way, I took my rat to the vet 8 days ago for an RI. Just because I can’t afford surgery doesn’t mean I don’t take them to the vet when they get sick. Now that I’ve discovered the wonders of amoxi capsules from Manderzratz(Who has been quite kind and patient with me), I see no reason to take them to the vet unless symptoms persist.
10/10/08  08:02pm

 #1878510


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1878459


 Tumor...

don’t take such things to heart. everyone falls on bad times. heck, i’ve been there. do what you need to for your little ones. and yeah, i think the reason they are used is the fact that anatomically we are similar. again, tumors and disease in lab animals do not impact the pet rats. anyway, hopefully your little ones show improvement.
10/10/08  09:25pm

 #1878517


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1878510


 Tumor...

I’ll do the best I can for her. The only thing I can’t do for her is surgery. Thanks for being understanding.

There still isn’t any sign of growth or healing, and still no pain. I’m watching her closely. She’s active, eating, and drinking, although she’s sneezing like the rest of the colony.
10/10/08  09:34pm

 #1878525


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1878517


 Tumor...

if you didn’t know rats should have a mandatory eight or more hours of solid darkness nightly. it is said to help prevent tumors. not as well as spaying mind you, but at least somewhat. oh and feeding roasted unsalted soynuts/soybeans (make sure not raw or salted) is also said to help.

but if they have the tumor, like the little one may have, then soy can have a negative effect. soynuts are pretty cheap at the supermarket. you can give them as a handfed treat to everyone but the baby. though it is more beneficial for females than males because males are much less prone to tumors.

uhm, also something i hadn’t thought of is maybe it’s a cyst? an abscess would have a wound. well, keep tabs on it and i’m gonna pm you some more info. great to hear she’s okay though and good luck.
10/10/08  09:50pm

 #1878527


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1878525


 Tumor...

They usually have 8 hours of darkness. I do sleep at night. xPP Sometimes I stay up late, though. Should I move them into the hall at night it I stay up late?

And what would I do if it was a cyst?
10/10/08  09:56pm

 #1878539


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1878527


 Tumor...

i feel dumb for not thinking of that possibility. normally a cyst would be removed by a vet. check out that site and email i pm’ed you and she might be better help in that area though she only checks her email during the week. again, if there is no wound, then it has to be tumor or cyst. cysts can also be genetic though.

as for your question, you could move them if you don’t mind that, or block the part of the cage that would have the most light. maybe with a cheap quilt or something you don’t care about? i’m always up late and i have my quarantines in my room. i keep them on the opposite side and have my computer area blocked off so they get little to no light (since that is usually the only thing on. hehe).
10/10/08  10:19pm

 #1879186


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1878539


 Tumor...

Whoa whoa whoa.

1) A rat that has developed a tumor should NOT become a breeder. Cancer is passed through genetics--her babies would have greater risk of developing similar problems.

2) It is extremely rare for it to cost, what was said, $1300? to spay a rat? It costs a maximum of $300 to have a spay/tumor removal. I had one done three months ago for $250. If you aren’t prepared to spend money on your pets, why are you breeding them?

3) Spaying does almost eliminate the risk of mammary tumors, but does nothing to eliminate tumors in other areas. Her ovaries are not all that connected to her neck.

4) How do you know this is a tumor? It isn’t all that common for a very young rat to develop a tumor anywhere, let alone her neck. She needs to see a vet, my guess is that it’s an abscess caused by a small cut. That means it needs to be drained and she needs antibiotics to cure it or the infection will spread and it will be extremely painful for her. If you can’t afford the vet, give her to a rescue or find a home where they can take her to the vet, and STOP breeding rats if you can’t afford to take care of the babies!

5) No matter what it is, she needs to be separated and quarantined. If it’s an abscess, it could be because another rat has been beating her up, which is fairly common with a litter when they are establishing hierarchy or the males are becoming hormonal. ANY sick rat needs to be quarantined, and you should always be prepared to quarantine any of your pets.

I really don’t mean to sound harsh, but you are solely and completely responsible for this animal’s entire life. If you didn’t plan to spend money on her, you really should not have bred her in the first place, especially if her mom has poor temperament/health.

Call around and see if there are any vets in your area that will look at her for a price you can afford. Whatever happens, do what you can to keep her comfortable. If you can’t afford the vet, do your best to find someone to take her that can.

Good luck!
10/12/08  12:37am

 #1879200


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1879186


 Tumor...

i said my rat cost 1300 for two tumors and a spay. she was a rescue in need of medical help and i did not exaggerate her cost. for tumor removal my vet charges 300 plus everything such as anesthesia and everything separate. the 300 is solely for mass removal. it depends on the vet also in big cities costs are usually higher.
10/12/08  01:04am

 #1879206


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1879186


 Tumor...

oh and also, if it were an abscess a cut would be present and the mother wasn’t known to have bad genes until this litter. i agree she shouldn’t be bred and the mom should not be bred ever again and that was already agreed upon. also if it say were a tumor, i don’t quarantine mine from their cagemates unless the cagemates are irking them. i only quarantine for contagious reasons or if injured. it puts unnecessary stress on the rats to separate them if they wouldn’t cause harm to the ill one.
10/12/08  01:12am

 #1879210


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1879206


 Tumor...

I’m sorry, Dragongirl...

1) I Know she shouldn’t be bred and she won’t be
2) I do spend money on my pets... I’m just in a bad financial situation and can’t afford surgery
4) No, I can afford a vet. I’ll make an appointment and take her. It really looks like a tumor. it hard and there’s no hair on it, and it just looks really weird
5) I am prepared to quarantine. I have a cage and water bottle and food bowl and everything, I just would rather not take her from her cage-mates. I really don’t think it could be contagious, and her cage mates are super nice to each other. I’m positive no one’s beating on her.

I didn’t breed her. She’s too young and has a tumor. I didn’t breed the mother, either. The mother was skittish, but nothing more and her health was fine.
10/12/08  01:24am

 #1879352


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1879210


 Tumor...

It turns out that it wasn’t a tumor! Since it lost the hair on it I examined it closer. It has a tiny cut on it. It’s an abscess. Not only that, but it’s healing! The abscess flattened out and it’s getting smaller. I think she’s going to be okay.
10/12/08  12:39pm

 #1879355


Manderzratz
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   Message To: Ammeratsu   In reference to Message Id: 1879352


 Tumor...

you could put neosporin on it. that helps it heal faster. if it is an abscess, i’d separate her. simply because the others will groom the neosporin off and that defeats the purpose.
10/12/08  12:42pm

 #1879375


Ammeratsu
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   Message To: Manderzratz   In reference to Message Id: 1879355


 Tumor...

Okay, will do. She’s separated now. This is great. ^^
10/12/08  01:29pm
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