Exploratory Surgery for Mass - advice.

[RatsForever]

Hello and happy Easter everyone,

My Emma has always been a very curvy girl (read: fat) but lately I noticed her stomach alone was getting quite round and beginning to get hard. When I brought Emma to the vet, the immediate reaction from my vet was: "If I didn't know she was already spayed I would have thought she was pregnant." An ultrasound was done and much to my dismay there is some sort of mass that showed-up on the screen. My vet contacted a few exotic vets who all recommended exploratory surgery which really worries me because she's already two years old yet at the same time I want to know what it is. Does anyone have any idea what could be growing inside of her? I'm thinking tumour. The mass doesn't appear to be bothering Emma at all. She's as active and playful as ever and still loves to eat. Anyway, surgery is scheduled for this Tuesday.

Cheers!

 

[SQ]

Hoping that Emma does ok.
Her mom Leah is also quite fat.
I would think it is likely a tumour, hopefully surgery will be sucessful.

 

[Chel]

I don't know if its anything similar buuuut: A woman I worked with had a dog, who had been spayed when she was a pup, now 11 the dog developed a hard mass in her belly, turns out it was a mass in her uterus, and it was equivalent to a giant pussball, and had to be removed. I don't know the procedure with spays, if it involves taking out the uterus or what, but it may be something similar. Hopefully not, and this dog was in visible pain. if its not bothering her though, hopefully its nothing to serious and just benign. raying:

 

[SQ]

When rats are spayed the ovaries and uterus are suposed to be removed. That is very interesting Chel,
hopefully with Emma, it will be something easily fixed.
Lots of cuddles and pats to Emma.

 

[jorats]

Exploratory surgery can be quite useful...sometimes the mass is easily removed and the only way to know is through surgery. We've had this done several times. For my Rylee, it bought him 2 months which I'll always be grateful for.
I'll be praying real hard that it's something minor.

 

[Moon]

Awww, scary... sending lots of good thoughts to both of you.

 

[RatsForever]

So, despite Emma's age, I should go ahead with the exploratory surgery? I'm so nervous...

 

[lilratsy43]

If she is in good health otherwise, I would go for it. My Vixey had an internal mass as well, but she was extremely underweight by the time I had it removed. So once the mass was gone, there was not too much left to her. She didn't make it to have her stitches removed...

I am sorry to be all depressing on you, I just thought I would add my experience. I really think your girl will be fine if she is currently in good health! The best of luck to Emma!!!!

 

[Godmother]

I think that if your vet is recommending it you should go for it. A mass would only get larger and start to cause pain and dysfunction. If she is feeling good and has some weight to spare, then she would be as good a candidate as any. Her heart and lungs are good, which is a big factor.

How wonderful that your vet has one of those small ultrasound machines! Is it expensive to get a scan done?

I will be thinking of you & Emma on the big day. Tell her to let me know if she wants some Banana Mash Recovery Elixir.

 

[jorats]

What my vet always tells me is that age should not be a factor in deciding for surgery but health is. If you trust your vet and your rat is in top health, then I'd say go for it.

 

[Chel]

Let us know what you decide and how it goes! My fingers are crossed for you!

 

[RatsForever]

The vet phoned me today asking what I decided and I'm going ahead with surgery tomorrow morning...I'm very nervous. :sad3:

 

[mamarat]

I think it's better to know what is wrong with your sweetie in case it can be fixed. I had an exploratory done on Lady but she couldn't be helped. I brought her home to love and pain meds gave her a few more months of quality life. Good luck with your girl.

 

[Godmother]

We'll be thinking of you both in the morning! :cuddle:

 

[Chel]

How did everything go? *sending healing thoughts*

 

[RatsForever]

Hello,

Emma had a large tumour connected to her scrotum! The vet removed the tumour and sent it to the lab. My vet also said that I would probably notice a leaner rat. :giggle: Anyway, Emma is doing fine and the vet assistant gave Emma some of her banana, which she gladly ate.

I'm so happy things went well...I was some worried!

 

[Chel]

Hello,

Emma had a large tumour connected to her scrotum! The vet removed the tumour and sent it to the lab. My vet also said that I would probably notice a leaner rat. :giggle: Anyway, Emma is doing fine and the vet assistant gave Emma some of her banana, which she gladly ate.

I'm so happy things went well...I was some worried!

Scrotum!? I'm no biology whiz, and I don't know rat anatomy very well but isn't a scrotum a boy part?

Super glad to hear she is doing well! Bananas make everyone feel good.

 

[mamarat]

I'm glad Emma is doing well. :happydance:

 

[ryelle]

hmm yea, a scrotum is the skin that contains the testicles.


Would a girl rat have a scrotum?? Oo

 

[SQ]

Such a relief to hear that Emma is doing ok !!
Spoil the little sweetheart from all of us.