Mammary tumor - spay, or use Suprelorin-implant?

[Tonje!]

I've decided to go for the second vet I contacted, the one that some people on the Norwegian rat forum recommended. She seems really interested in rats, seems to have a lot of knowlegde, and she has rats herself. Also, so was really kind and helpful on the phone, I've talked to her twice today, both times we spoke for about 15-25 minutes. I really appreciated that.

I'm once again uncertain about whether I'm gonna spay or insert the chip though, as she seemed very enthusiastic about the chip. She says that they are pretty sure that the chip works in the same way as a spay. If I remember it correctly, she had even phoned a co worker to discuss it, searched an international vet forum to see what other vets recommend and say about it, and she told me on the phone tonight that she's gonna call another veterinarian who she thinks might have some more info about the chip.

Also, she's inserted two of her own rats with these chips, with great success.

The operation is on Tuesday, and I don't have to decide until I arrive. But after this last conversation, I'm starting to feel that maybe the chip is the best solution after all.

I didn't get a chance to talk to the first vet, she never called me back, so I still haven't cancelled my appointment with them on Monday. They're closed for the day now. So I hope it's OK that I call them first thing tomorrow to cancel, or do you think I'll get a fee for doing that?

 

[victoria]

My vet is on the same forum and has seen the same posts by other vets and he has also been very clear that the implants are the equivalent to a spay or neuter. I have to update the thread, but only two of my girls have sprouted new mammary tumours (one has several cancerous tumours but they are not mammary) since receiving the implants and they are very slow growing. Of the lumps I have not had surgically removed, after more than six months, they are still not big enough to cause concern or need to be removed. This may sound awful, but the biggest determinant for me when I decide between a spay and an implant (when I have a choice) is money... if a rat is over 18 months old the odds are they will not be alive to need a second implant at 30 months old but if they are only 6 months old I will likely have to get another implant. (An implant costs me roughly half the price of a spay.) If you're going to have the tumour removed right away though, a spay at the time of the removal will likely be cheaper. At least it would be for me.

If I were you and getting the lump removed, I would get her spayed - because it will likely be cheaper to do it at the time of the lumpectomy and to not have to have another one inserted in a year's time. That's assuming you have a competent vet you trust.

 

[Tonje!]

Hmm, money is of course also in issue, although not the most important part of it. I only have two rats, so I can afford spending more on them than I would have been able to if I had big rat packs like many others have.

Some people say that the implants is likely to last for about 2 years on rats - is that not true?

 

[Dazzle87]

Depending on your area, spays may be cheaper. I pay 100 for spays, flat rate (including exam and all), while it appears in the US the implants are more expensive.

 

[MissGuardian]

I paid about 340$ for spaying Nirvana(2000kr) including meds afterwards.

 

[victoria]

My vet was the first to use them in Canada, and what he's said is that they will last for one year for sure, perhaps more. If your vet is saying they will last longer, then go with that - they may be a different brand or they have more data to indicate their life. If your vet does say they are supposed to be effective for two years, I would go with the cheaper option... money is certainly not the deciding factor in my treatment decisions but the two are practically equal so why not go with the cheaper one? An implant would avoid an additional incision and more time under anesthesia but surgery would remove a uterus or ovaries that have cysts or infections that haven't been detected. (I'm not saying there's a chance your girl has an infection and I have not had a chance to ask my vet about cysts and whether the implant would reduce the risk posed by them. I do know the implants are supposed to help prevent or slow down the growth of uterine tumours.)

The other thing I will add is if you have the money I would also implant or spay the other girl to try to prevent mammary tumours in the first place. Both are more effective if done before any pop up.

 

[Dazzle87]

I paid about 340$ for spaying Nirvana(2000kr) including meds afterwards.

It can vary within a country too though, in the US it tends to range from 75-500 for a spay. I wish they were more affordable for everyone

ETA: Yes definitely do your other girl too!

 

[MissGuardian]

I paid about 340$ for spaying Nirvana(2000kr) including meds afterwards.

It can vary within a country too though, in the US it tends to range from 75-500 for a spay. I wish they were more affordable for everyone

ETA: Yes definitely do your other girl too!

Yeah I know..
But Tonje and I live in the same country :wink2:
I wish so too..
I paid about 170$ for one neuter..
There is no chance I will do that on a regular basis..

Tonje!: Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck, and I hope I get to hear an update on how it goes!

 

[Dazzle87]

I paid about 340$ for spaying Nirvana(2000kr) including meds afterwards.

It can vary within a country too though, in the US it tends to range from 75-500 for a spay. I wish they were more affordable for everyone

ETA: Yes definitely do your other girl too!

Yeah I know..
But Tonje and I live in the same country :wink2:
I wish so too..
I paid about 170$ for one neuter..
There is no chance I will do that on a regular basis..

Tonje!: Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck, and I hope I get to hear an update on how it goes!

I know, I mean different cities, or even different vets, within the same country, can have drastically different prices. For all I know, what you pay is the norm, I was just saying she should check to see, since its not guaranteed that the implant is cheaper

 

[Tonje!]

I'm not sure exactly what the implant will cost, but I think the price will be approximately the same as a spay.

I have been thinking about getting the other girl implanted as well, I'll call the vet today and ask for the exact price and her advice about this, and also if they have time to implant her as well on Tuesday.

I'm more calm now that I have decided (at least I think I have) to go for the implant. She still needs surgery to remove the tumor, but still, from what I understand, removing a tumor is pretty standard procedure and "safe".

 

[mamarat]

Good luck with your sweeties.

 

[victoria]

Both surgeries are safe with a good vet. Inserting only an implant is literally a five minute procedure, so she will likely be able to do both at the same time. Good luck with your girls.

 

[Tonje!]

Thanks, you're all so kind :hugs:

I called the vet yesterday and it's decided now, I'm getting both my girls chipped with the implant on Tuesday. The implant costs approximately 170 dollars, but I figured it was worth it.

 

[MissGuardian]

Thanks, you're all so kind :hugs:

I called the vet yesterday and it's decided now, I'm getting both my girls chipped with the implant on Tuesday. The implant costs approximately 170 dollars, but I figured it was worth it.

That´s not bad!

 

[ChrisK]

Thanks, you're all so kind :hugs:

I called the vet yesterday and it's decided now, I'm getting both my girls chipped with the implant on Tuesday. The implant costs approximately 170 dollars, but I figured it was worth it.

Just wondering how the procedures went for your girls.. anything to report?

 

[MissGuardian]

The surgery went well, but I´m sure Tonje will tell you herself(I´m at another forum with her)

 

[Tonje!]

Yeah, as MissGuardian said, it went fine!!! :joy: :dance: :heart: I'm so relieved!!

The surgery took about 30 minutes and the tumor was relatively easy to remove. The vet showed it to me afterwards, it was actually pretty fascinating. Oval and lumpy and soft, and with a blood vein attached to it.

Frida seemed pretty drugged after the operation, and on the way home I had to check whether she was still breathing like every fifth minute, haha. Even though the vet said that it was all normal. I just can't help myself, I worry too much But about an hour after the surgery she seemed more alert, she walked (stumbled) around in the cage to check it out, and ate some banana, cucumber and liver pate before lying down by the warm water bottles to rest some more. She's still resting.

I got both pain killers and antibiotics for her, so fingers crossed that she'll take them without too much fuss.

Radka is fine by the way, she was only under narcosis for a few seconds to get the implant.

By the way, the surgery, both chips and the pain killers was about 540 USD in total. Not bad, in my opinion.

 

[mamarat]

So glad the sweeties are doing well.

 

[ChrisK]

All sounds very normal! I'm so glad to hear it all went well :dance:

Yes, that does sound like a good price too!

 

[jorats]

Do keep us posted on how the girls do with the implants.