The Rat Room

It’s never a good thing. Rats who develop a tumour in the face have a very poor prognosis. Facial masses can be abscesses in the bone, nasal cavity, sinuses, eye socket, ear or tooth. None of these are very treatable and most end up in severe pain and in need of euthanasia. These masses can also be tumours, cancer and in which case, euthanasia is the most gentlest thing to do for the rat.
My Jenny has a facial mass. It’s very hard and bony. My vet believes it could be a tooth abscess or bone cancer. It’s affecting her left eye slightly as well as her nasal cavity. Jenny is highly stressed out, sleeping more and in obvious pain. My vet has recommended we try clavamox, hoping the abscess will respond if it’s an abscess and metacam. Since giving her the metacam, Jenny is more alert and eats on her own again. She has lost a lot of weight. But, I’m not holding out much hope for her. The lump is still there, it has not gone down in size, it is distorting her face… I fear the worse. Jenny may need to be put to sleep early next week. I won’t make her suffer much longer.

Edit to add: Jenny didn’t make it. She died early evening on Dec 31st. Be well sweet Jenny.