Maggie Keeps Making her Tumor Bleed

[Rattus]

So Maggie has a big tumor on her left shoulder, a tiny bit smaller then one of those cat rattle plastic ball toys ya know, well I cant get it removed because she has a Pituitary tumor and she just started Pred this morning. But my issue is for the past week she seems to be scratching the tumor like crazy and shes scratching the skin around it causing scabs everywhwere.. when we went to the vet he we found it she doesnt have fleas and she doesnt have fur mites or not that he seen(he checked their fur under a microscope) unless there is kinds that can hide in the skin? BUT he DID say that they have very dry skin and fur but she seem to mainly be scratching around the tumor the most?? :? I've been putting animal polysmorn on it. Today I went in to see her and there was this big caked on smear of blood all over the tumor, so she itched it or picked at it(it looks itched at) and there was smeared blood along some of the Boxo. It doesnt look infected, but why would she be doing this and is there anything else I can do to ease the itching if that is the case?

 

[MomRat]

Mite testing(the fur under the microscope) comes back negative more often than not. If there is any scabbing/scratching in areas other than the tumor, most specifically the back/shoulders and chin, she probably has mites, and should be treated with revolution. Mites are really easy to get through loose bedding like boxo, especially if you don't freeze it before you use it.

 

[jorats]

I wonder if it might be causing some discomfort which would cause her to scratch at it.

 

[victoria]

I've also had a rat with PT that would over groom an area because they were no longer flexible enough to groom all over. I would treat her for mites even though the test came up negative, it's easy and has the potential to provide a lot of relief.

 

[purinpurin]

A member on the ratlist said that one of her rats chewed out her own tumour. I've never heard of this (in any sort of animal), so I was very impressed. Maybe that's what your rattie's trying to do?

 

[Dazzle87]

If revolution doesn't do it, anyone know if they'd overgroom from pain?

I do not know the person you're speaking of or anything like that, but I heard it explained that when people say things like that it pretty much has to be an abscess or cyst that they had thought was a tumor. I wish I remembered where I read that since they gave explanation.

 

[Rattus]

yes, I figured I might aswell treat her for mites anyway, its worth a shot. I went in to see her again and she picked at her tumor again and made it bleed! Its not over bleeding but shes making herself bleed enough to stink. :sick2: she reeked of blood. had to clean her up.poor baby girl. its like the smell had lingered and left a smell all over her.

 

[Rattus]

it seems way too big to be an abcess..and its lumpy and hard..and attached pretty good around the bone..

 

[Spork]

Maybe trim her nails so she doesn't do as much damage?

 

[victoria]

Maybe trim her nails so she doesn't do as much damage?

Yes, that. I can't believe I didn't mention that. You can use human nail clippers and only do a teeny bit each day - it can make a huge difference.

 

[RatKat]

Was the smell a rotting putrid stench? Watch out for bruising/black skin forming around the wound, it could be the start of necrotic tissue. Nasty stuff---if this happens take the little guy to the vets immediately for removal.

When Boris' tumour ruptured between his hind leg and tail-he developed a lice issue-so the vet gave him an Invertmin (sp?) shot, and antibiotics to keep the rat free of infection. If your rat is opening the sore I hope you get him some antibiotics to keep her healthy.

Also---you may want to stop using Boxo if she's bleeding. I'd try to stick with fleece/paper towels. I didn't think of this when Boris was going through his ordeal, and ended up removing both food and bedding from his wound---and the putrid stench was fresh every time.

If the tumour is growing and stretching the skin, pressure could be building and she may be getting irritated kind of like how people get annoyed by a growing zit. It stretches the skin and when it pops there is less pain sometimes.

I hope this is a bit helpful.

 

[Rattus]

Thankfully no, its not a rot smell. It just smells VERY STRONGLY of fresh dryed blood, like if you were to get a major wound that gushed blood and you let it just dry on you. Maggies tumor seems to be better today, she has been treated with medication for possible mites(last night) I woke up to find no new cuts have been created so Maybe she did have mites :shock: I know that stuff starts to kick in really fast. Her skin is very dry and shes starting to flake alot so Im trying to mix Olive Oil in her Mush shes eating lol Im scared her tumor will burst but it does seem to be growing at a slow rate so the skin is having some time to stretch atleast. The Pred seems to have given Maggie a stronger urge to eat which Im so happy about as she just started to lose weight before she started the Pred. She doesnt have Baytril yet as the doctor only gave me a perscription for pred incase she did have the PT. So I'll be phoning to see if I dont necessarily have to book an appt. if I can just show them the prescription for pred and they can give me baytril, if not I guiess I'll have to pay for a useless appt to get the baytril :? lol