My little Molly has a vet appointment Monday morning UPDATE

[gramma2jaakk]

This morning while Neal and I were getting ready for HIS doctor appointment, I was in the rat-room telling all the girls good morning when I noticed it. Molly crawled over the plastic tube towards the door, stood on her hind legs to stretch, and I saw the lump. :sad3:

She didn't have it last night. Neal also confirmed it. So it just popped up overnight. It is located under her left jaw on the underside of her neck. It doesn't seem to be bothering her, and from what I can tell through all her squirming to be let down to go play, it feels soft and non-attached.

I called the vet to see if they could take her this afternoon, but the earliest they have is Monday morning at 8am. I'm trying not to worry about it too much but now I've got all weekend for it to keep staring at me!

So, is there anything for me to really worry about? Think it might just be a cyst and they can take a needle to it to drain it? If that is what it is, I'm glad I won't be the one to stick the needle in her! It is located too close to her 'I mean business' end. :giggle:

 

[HeartMyRatties]

Oooh! I can see how scary that would be!! At least you only have to wait till Monday and hopefully they'll get her good as new!

 

[Moon]

Good luck!

I don't want to be a downer but stuff in the facial area can be really icky and cause more trouble than usual... abscesses on the face can often be tooth/mouth based, and that's just a huge pain in the butt.

That aside, I will cross all my fingers and toes for you guys, and hope that it's nothing, as it may very well be

 

[gramma2jaakk]

Good luck!

I don't want to be a downer but stuff in the facial area can be really icky and cause more trouble than usual... abscesses on the face can often be tooth/mouth based, and that's just a huge pain in the butt.

That aside, I will cross all my fingers and toes for you guys, and hope that it's nothing, as it may very well be

Well, its on her neck. Is that still considered the face area?

 

[Moon]

Hmm... I guess it really depends on how far down the neck.

My girl Emma had a neck abscess that appeared to only be the beginning of lots of future troubles, but others have had neck abscesses clear up fine. Our darn rats do love to give us the run around...

 

[jorats]

Hopefully it will be an abscess and easily taken care of with meds.
Once my rat Lex had this huge lump on his cheek. My vet told me that he needed surgery but for some reason something told me to try meds first. She hesitated but then agreed and 2 weeks later it was all gone.
Good luck Molly!!!

 

[mamarat]

Good thoughts for your sweetie. :hugs:

 

[Joanne]

The good news is that if it came up overnight, it is VERY unlikely to be a tumor, and is most likely an infection. If that can be considered good news.........

 

[jorats]

The good news is that if it came up overnight, it is VERY unlikely to be a tumor, and is most likely an infection. If that can be considered good news.........

Not exactly... aggressive cancers can pop up real fast. But that's worse case scenario and not something to consider.

 

[gramma2jaakk]

Thanks for all the well-wishes for Molly! I will give everyone an update on her when we get back from the vets office Monday morning.

 

[LA]

Poor Molly, how far down on the neck is it?

 

[gramma2jaakk]

Poor Molly, how far down on the neck is it?

It is below her head and above her arm/shoulder. To me it definately looks like it is on her neck. I checked it again this morning and it still doesn't seem to be bothering her and also looks like it did yesterday.

 

[lilspaz68]

Can you give it a good feel and see if there's a wee scab on or near the lump?

 

[gramma2jaakk]

Can you give it a good feel and see if there's a wee scab on or near the lump?

I have looked her over real good and see nothing on it or near it. It is just a lump! Soft, pliable, and moves when I GENTLY press on it from the side. Whatcha thinking it might be?

 

[lilspaz68]

It does sound like an abscess, they can blow up overnight and if its on her neck not her jaw line its probably not teeth *whew* I have had abscesses reabsorb on their own with meds.

 

[gramma2jaakk]

It does sound like an abscess, they can blow up overnight and if its on her neck not her jaw line its probably not teeth *whew* I have had abscesses reabsorb on their own with meds.

Whew! Thank you, I am feeling more reassured now. It is not on her jaw line, it is definately on her neck. She will take her meds like a champ, thank goodness, when the vet gives her any.

 

[gramma2jaakk]

Well, we are home from the vet visit. Molly wasn't a very happy little girl, being woke up and it is cold outside and she is a nekkid kid. All she wanted to do was go back in the cage with her "sisters" and cuddle up with them and their warm hair, and go back to sleep.

Anyway, the vet said it is a tumor and will eventually need to be removed. This is something I'll have to save up for, since we are also trying to save money for other things. It will cost $185, so not too bad. And that is only because I already have some medacam. So... wish me luck with the savings! If it wasn't for HUMAN doctor bills, we could do this now.

 

[jorats]

While you are waiting to save up, why not try warm compresses on the lump?

 

[gramma2jaakk]

While you are waiting to save up, why not try warm compresses on the lump?

I could, IF Molly would sit still for it. She is a mover and shaker! Always on the go, won't sit still for anything. LOL! I can definately give it a try though.

 

[Joanne]

Did the vet do a fine needle aspiration to comfirm tumor vs. abscess?