Growth on Rat's neck

[cyanAstrologist]

I've noticed a growth on one of my rat's neck, that seems to have appeared basically overnight. I suspect it might be a tumor of some kind, and I've had rats live full lives even with benign tumors. However, unlike my other rats in the past, this one feels somewhat hard and scab-like, and it appears to be darkening in color. He doesn't appear to be in any pain and his appetite and activity is normal, but I'm still concerned. I'm getting him into a vet next week, but if anyone has any clue what this could be, I'd appreciate it.

(sorry, these were the best quality pictures I could get)

 

[Kye]

That there is an abscess.! And from the looks of it it's about to pop so if you suddenly find a crater in his neck don't be alarmed.! It just means that it popped.!

 

[cyanAstrologist]

That there is an abscess.! And from the looks of it it's about to pop so if you suddenly find a crater in his neck don't be alarmed.! It just means that it popped.!

Thank you for taking the time to respond! I sure hope you're right. I'm still gonna make sure he sees a vet, but it's good to know it might not be anything malignant. Do you know what might've caused it?

 

[lilspaz68]

It could be an abscess especially since it showed up so quickly. If it was a tumour that went necrotic then it probabky would've developed more slowly. Can you smell around the lump for the slight foul.smell.of infection?

 

[cyanAstrologist]

It could be an abscess especially since it showed up so quickly. If it was a tumour that went necrotic then it probabky would've developed more slowly. Can you smell around the lump for the slight foul.smell.of infection?

UPDATE: It now looks like this, and the rat seems to be licking the area frequently. I think it might've burst? So it was most likely an abscess. What should I do now?

Sorry these aren't good pictures. They were the best I could get.

 

[lilspaz68]

does it smell foul? if so its an abscess. Now you'll need to flush it twice a day with isotonic saline (salt and water mixed to the same salinity as our body). Start slowly and watch for him to swallow as you flush, if he does STOP. This means the abscess goes right through into his mouth. You won't be able to flush it without potentially making him inhale water which is dangerous.
No swallowing means you wait for him to get used to it then use more water pressure. You continue flushing until there's no more pus and its healing up towards the surface then you can stop.

 

[cyanAstrologist]

does it smell foul? if so its an abscess. Now you'll need to flush it twice a day with isotonic saline (salt and water mixed to the same salinity as our body). Start slowly and watch for him to swallow as you flush, if he does STOP. This means the abscess goes right through into his mouth. You won't be able to flush it without potentially making him inhale water which is dangerous.
No swallowing means you wait for him to get used to it then use more water pressure. You continue flushing until there's no more pus and its healing up towards the surface then you can stop.

Yes, it does smell pretty bad. I'm almost positive this is an abscess. Do you happen to know any tutorials on making a saline solution for rats specifically, or does that not matter?

 

[lilspaz68]

just go online and look for recipe for isotonic saline. nothing but salt and water to use though, no baking soda as is used sometimes with nasal rinse.