Is this a tumor? *uhm.. white chunky stuff in abscess?*

[mia9_28]

Sorry for the crappy pictures, he wouldn't stop moving.
It has been there for weeks and we THINK it might have grown.
It feels firm to the touch.

 

[hopefloats]

It doesnt look like a tumor to me, that looks like some sort of sore. Is it a lump or a scab on the surface?

 

[mia9_28]

It doesnt look like a tumor to me, that looks like some sort of sore. Is it a lump or a scab on the surface?

It's definitely a lump on his stomach.

 

[hopefloats]

it just looks kind of infected, more sore like than anything. All the tumors i have seen at least in the beginning are more skin colored.


Is the scab on it new? have to tried to warm compress it?

 

[maria-mar]

Could be an abscess?...

 

[Moon]

It looks like an abscess to me! Warm compresses, and wait for the pus-y goodness!

 

[jorats]

Looks like an abscess. Is it hard or crusty in the centre? If so, that could be an old dried up abscess.

 

[hopefloats]

When in doubt give it a little squeeze LOL if it is and it is ready to go, it will come out. That is similar to that nasty stuff that Templeton had on him.

 

[mia9_28]

I'm scared to squeeze it in case it's a tumor and I end up hurting him. :/

Sorry, I haven't been able to check him since I posted this... I've had PLENTY of fish drama with an outbreak of Ich and no way to get treatment... and a midterm tomorrow at 8am. It's 2am. :/
But I promise I will check everything mentioned here tomorrow and I will post the results!

 

[fenshae]

If it is a tumor, a little squeeze won't cause much trouble. They're quite sturdy.

It definitely looks like an abcess to me as well. Be sure to warm-compress it first, it'll make the squeezing part much easier.

 

[mia9_28]

I am currently putting a warm compress on him.. and it's still hard and still has that crusty look to it...
It's not getting any softer... and doesn't seem to have puss...
It's really on the surface... like I can pull it with his fat.. but it's like a hard little ball..

Would it require to be checked by a vet?
Unfortunately... I've recently moved to a small place with only one vet.. and she has little experience with rats.


UPDATE: I still tried to squeeze it but I ended up hurting him every time. Nothing seems to be ready to come out anyway.
I also found out that when I squeeze it while it's warm.. it changes shape... it's like movable or something.
Do abscesses change shape like this?

 

[hopefloats]

sounds like the goo templeton had. It was super gross..


viewtopic.php?f=21&t=26285&hilit=templeton

Dont look if you are squeamish LOL

 

[lilspaz68]

Could be a cyst then.

 

[mia9_28]

Could be a cyst then.

What is a cyst?
Is it treatable?

 

[lilspaz68]

http://ratguide.com/health/integumentary_skin/cysts.php

 

[Moon]

It can take a few rounds of warm compresses to really bring stuff to the top. You've only been at it a few days so you may need more time to see a difference.

I don't think you have to worry too much about it at this point. Keep an eye on it a bit longer.

 

[jorats]

If it doesn't grown any bigger, then I wouldn't worry about it. Little cysts and other bumps are normal in rats. But if it grows, then you might want to consult a vet.

 

[mia9_28]

Well, I warm compressed it today again...

and instead of puss coming out... a white...chunk... came out and it started bleeding.
There's still a hard chunk of... white, almost powdery looking stuff stuck to his skin and I don't know if I should try to take it off (and hurt Bobo) or clean it well with unscented soap and water and let it fall off?

Help? :/

 

[mamarat]

Can you soak it until it falls off? Sometimes the pus is like a chunk of cheese and has to be pulled out. Wish I could be of more help.

 

[mia9_28]

Can you soak it until it falls off? Sometimes the pus is like a chunk of cheese and has to be pulled out. Wish I could be of more help.

I'll go try that right now!