Big-ish tumour to left of tail

[LadyGray]

NO idea how we missed this, but poor Curly has a fair sized tumour on her back side, I guess it's fairly hidden next to her tail there. The poor girly :-(

So, we've clearly missed in its early stages :-( what are her chances? we can likely get it removed this week. But i've also heard that if they get to a certain size they can't be removed for some reason? I will get a picture if needed.

Also, since Lady had her tumour removed last year, she has been completely free of them ever since; does getting rid of one prevent others??

 

[Roo]

Tumors differ. Some come back, some never come back. Huge tumors can be removed, as we've recently have done for this little dude: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=24304

I don't know much about tumors, but people will probably ask for a picture?

 

[jorats]

My vet once removed a tumour bigger than the rat. I'd definitely get it done.

 

[LadyGray]

Thanks!

under what circumstances do the tumours burst? do I need to keep a close eye on her until she gets it removed?

 

[Roo]

I've had rats with tumors, but they never burst. Still, I'd watch it every day. Couldn't hurt. =) I hope it's an easy one - good luck!

 

[victoria]

They may burst if there is a buildup of blood around the tumour or they can rupture if the tumour gets big enough, but that usually takes months. See what the vet says and go from there.

 

[Joanne]

I would have it evaluated by the vet. Once in a while a 'tumour' turns out to be an abcesss instead. I just had Tia to the Vet's today and they did a fine needle aspiration of her lump to determine what type it was. (It was a lipoma.) This is a quick way to decide course of treatment, as well as evaluating her general health for surgery.

 

[LadyGray]

Update from appointment the other day; it's a tumour, but it's covering her digestive system/genitals and so they can't operate. We just have to bring her in when it begins to affect her life too much.

Anyone had to look after a Ratty with tumour that can't be removed? how do you judge when it's bothering them too much?

Inevitably of course with Curly it will start affecting her digestion. But I don't want it to burst or upset her in any other way first. Any tips?

 

[jorats]

Oh no...
I've had a few where surgery was not an option and had to watch them until it was time. The rat's appetite will decrease considerably, they will zone out from time to time, they will hardly move, those are all signs of pain. Were you given metacam? Metacam has been shown to shrink some tumours, although not very likely but still it would help with pain management.

 

[mamarat]

Your poor baby, I've had a few I needed to watch and you'll notice when she stops "being" herself. I'm so sorry.

 

[victoria]

Metacam helped my rats with inoperable tumours until they interfered with vital functions. You'll know when it's time :hugs:

 

[rhapsody]

My Alice had a tumor at the base of her tail too. My vet thought it would be inoperable because of its really bad location, but he said he'd attempt to remove it anyways and would stop if it was just too entangled. Lucky for all of us, removing that "inoperable" tumor turned out to be ridiculously easy!

Any chance you could get a second opinion? As far as tumor size goes, Alice's got pretty big before we got it removed:
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