Lump? EDIT: She's gone...

[Willk24]

Lulu, my black hooded girl, has some kind of a lump on one side of her cheek. I just noticed it today. It doesn't seem to pain her when I touch it. The skin and fur cover it. I don't know how to describe the size, but it makes her face look lopsided, which is why I noticed it in the first place. Also, her body condition has radically changed. She barely seems to have any fat covering her. I can feel her spine, ribs, and hips pretty easily through the skin. She is physically larger than Yuna, but Yuna's body tone is definitely more in the norm.

As far as behavior, Lu is ever the same. She's eating and drinking normally and just as active and curious as she's ever been. Should I wait a few days to see if this lump goes away or should I take her to a vet?

 

[victoria]

Can she eat properly? It could be an abscess or some other growth that is making it hard for her to eat. Since she's losing weight, I would take her to the vet as soon as possible. The more she loses, the weaker she gets, and the harder it gets for her to recover.

 

[Joanne]

From how you've described her, I'd take her to the vet right away. Lump + loss of body condition is not good. If she gets sick or needs surgery, she needs to be in good weight to help her recover.
Do you have a weight for her when she was healthy? Compared to now? How much weight has she lost?
How old is she?
And can you post a picture of her face?
Have you checked her teeth to see if they're a normal length and evenly worn?
It could be something relatively straightforward like an infection, and certainly an abcessed tooth would interfere with normal eating.

 

[Willk24]

I think she's eating okay. I haven't ever really watched her or Yuna eat, but there's no leftover food (I hand feed one block twice a day and supplement with produce, which is also hand-fed).

I have no idea how much she weighs now vs. in the past. I don't have a scale for them. It doesn't actually look like she has lost weight, but compared to Yuna, it's much easier to feel her bones. I just snapped a few shots. They're not the best since I don't have a helper, but I hope they may be of some use. Her teeth look even on both top and bottom, though I'm not sure what is a normal length.

I don't know if this makes a difference, but while she's still pretty active, she's a LOT more cuddly right now. Almost as if she's seeking comfort, but I may be interpreting that incorrectly.

Anyway, pics to follow shortly. I hope someone can help. I'm worried for my sweet girl.

 

[Willk24]

The pictures, as promised.

This is the "bad" side of the face. She is not squinting here -- her eye is actually unable to open further.

Tried to get a front view. Didn't turn out too well.

The "good" side.

More of the "bad" side.

You can really see the lump here.

And again.

Tried to get a shot over her overall body conformation. She looks like a fat and fluffy little thing, but if you handle her, you can feel the bones right through the fur and skin.

Her burrowing into me -- the most affectionate thing she's ever done.

Any insight you guys have is hugely appreciated. Thanks.

 

[xxchelle]

That looks REALLY bad... I'd get her into a vet ASAP, it could be a tooth abscess (in the molars - might require surgery). She really NEEDS a vet, like, first thing tomorrow.

 

[lizmo1221]

I agree. Call a rat knowledgeable vet as SOON as they open tomorrow and insist you get an emergency appt ASAP. Your girl is very sick. When my Libra started losing weight quickly she passed away within a week. I don't mean to scare you just trying to portray the seriousness of the situation

Edit to add: In the meantime, try to get her to eat something, ANYTHING. Her weight is very scary in how thin she is.

 

[Willk24]

Okay, I'll definitely give Dr. Harmon a call first thing in the morning. Should I bring Lu's cagemate with her? I just think it may help her be a bit less stressed out when I do take her in. I know they'll have to be separated when Lu's being examined, but for the ride to and from the clinic?

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

Bringing her cagemate is a good idea. I always bring a buddy along for my rats when they go to the vet.

 

[xxchelle]

Definitely bring a friend for her I brought Templeton when I took Toby in (two of my more recent rescues) and it really calmed Toby down having his buddy there.

 

[Willk24]

Thanks, all.

And lizmo, I've got her nomming baby carrots. She seems to have no trouble chewing them. Any suggestions to get her started on weight gain? I'm afraid as far as produce, I only have the carrots and grapes -- both are very water-dense. :?

 

[xxchelle]

Ensure, baby cereal, baby food, and soy milk are a good place to start. Yummy mushy things that are high in nutrients.

 

[Willk24]

Looks like I'll have to make a run to the store tonight then. I also hear avocados are good for weight gain? I do know the pit/skin are toxic.

 

[xxchelle]

Yep! You could definitely mush up an avocado and maybe mix it with something else to make it even softer... maybe soy milk? Would that be disgusting? Would that even mix? Can you even *mix* mashed avocado?

I clearly know nothing about avocados, in case you couldn't tell. :lol:

 

[Willk24]

You can mixed mashed avocado with some things. Guacamole, anybody? :laugh4:

As far as taste though, no idea. I'll probably just feed it separately.

 

[xxchelle]

Ooo I vaguely remember someone mixing avocado with whipped cream to get their rat to eat it.

 

[Willk24]

She's enjoying the vanilla Ensure and banana-flavored baby food mixture, but I was wondering how much to give her? As much as she'll eat? I didn't measure out anything -- just kind of eyeballed it to about an applesauce-like consistency.

 

[lizmo1221]

As much as she will take would be good. She has got go get some weight back on. When she gets full she will stop, but leave some in the cage overnight in case she wants more later.

 

[Willk24]

She ate quite a bit and is now sleeping in my lap. She feels heavier already! :thumbup:

I don't really want to leave the mixture in the cage since I don't want her cagemate Yuna to get at it. Her weight is perfect. I'll probably move Lulu back into her cage in just a bit and offer the mixture again in the morning. I need to try to get some sleep before my early wake-up to call the vet. I just hope they have an appointment available, even if it's during my class. My girl is worth missing a day of school. :heart:

 

[Willk24]

Ugh, I really hate this stupid state. I called up a small animal vet, but the staff was so incredibly rude on the phone. He's gone for the week and no one else will see her because they're fully booked for two days, even though I said it was an emergency.

So I called a different small-animal hospital, only to find that it was for small dogs and cats, nothing else. The guy on the phone was also rude. When I described the problem, he asked, "How old is your cat?" I told him, "No, no, it's a rat, not a cat." Then he said, "Oh, we don't see those things here." (WTF?! "Things"?! How insensitive!!) When I objected that I read it was a "full-service small animal hospital," he said it was only for small dogs and cats. Upset, I admittedly said, "Well, that's not misleading at all, is it?" and hung up. Usually I don't get so irritated with people, but my baby girl went downhill so fast over the last six hours. It's so alarming.

I do have her in for an appointment with an all-pets clinic here in town. I had to do some real digging on the Internet to find them. This time, the lady on the phone was just as nice as could be. She actually said, "Wow, that sounds really serious. We'll see her as soon as possible -- around 9:30 if that works?" It's about an hour and a half from now, so that's way better than, "No, we won't serve you."

But as far as Lulu's condition...she can't even walk properly now. Her head falls so far to that side that that front leg on the same side is just carried between the ground and her head. She's really listless and barely ate any of the baby cereal mixture, although she did show huge interest in her regular morning block. She just sat on my lap and slept this morning. It's just not like her. She's usually such a curious and active girl.

Oh, friends, I'm so worried for her. I'm worried that I'll burst into tears at the vet's like I've been doing here. I know that's a silly concern compared to her health, but it's just a side dish, if you will. I'm so worried that I did something to cause this, me being a new rat mommy and all. This next hour and a half is going to crawl by. :sad3:

I'll let you know how the vet visit goes.

EDIT: Looking back, I guess this should've gone on the ER forum, huh? Sorry, gang.