non-surgical treatments for tumors

[ChrisK]

Many thanks to Victoria for sharing this great info about the implants!

 

[crumbilina]

Hi guys

I have been following this thread closely since it first started. I want to approach my vet about these for my oldest rat who currently has developed another tumor AND my other 2 girlies who are approaching the age where tumors could begin. Is there any information that I could provide him so that there would be no confusion? My appointment is on friday morning. I just need any information that would be useful for him? Like a paper or something.

I will look to see what I can find, but if someone has something on hand, could you please let me know?

Thanks!

edit: I just read one of Victoria's posts, which I obviously missed *rolls eyes* Always miss something :giggle: Anyway, Are these still on a trial? Not sure if my vet would be willing to do this :-/

 

[jorats]

I wonder if Victoria's vet might be willing to consult with other vets on this matter?

 

[victoria]

I sent my vet's info to Jenny...

On a sad note, I found a tiny lump on Sophie last night. Not really sure what to do about it. I have never left a lump be (except for Ava's that shrunk), but both she and Annabelle have had the sniffles for over two months now (they are on abs, just not getting 100% better) and I really don't think surgery is an option. I'm going to take my advice and keep an eye on it and hope for the best, but I will have a discussion with my vet about it next time I'm in. I don't want to lose her to a benign tumour but I also don't want to lose her because she gets sick after surgery...

 

[jorats]

Wait and see on that tumour Vic, I've noticed that some tumours grow a bit then start to shrink. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[crumbilina]

I'll let you guys know what my vet says, and how he wants to proceed.

I have a backup vet if he says no too :giggle:

And thanks again Victoria!

 

[Joanne]

Very interesting topic. I had not heard of implants before this.
I don't really understand why the general consensus seems to be to put an implant in after a rat develops a mammary tumor. Why wouldn't one put implants in at around 3 months of age, just the same time that they would be physically spayed? It seems to make more sense, as this is chemically spaying a rat. Even if the implants only last a year, I would think you'd only replace it once, and the surgery would be relatively minor and safe.

 

[victoria]

Very interesting topic. I had not heard of implants before this.
I don't really understand why the general consensus seems to be to put an implant in after a rat develops a mammary tumor. Why wouldn't one put implants in at around 3 months of age, just the same time that they would be physically spayed? It seems to make more sense, as this is chemically spaying a rat. Even if the implants only last a year, I would think you'd only replace it once, and the surgery would be relatively minor and safe.

The implants dissolve after a year and it would end up being cheaper to spay a rat if being done at that young an age. The vet I now see more frequently at the practice will implant them before a tumour, another vet at the practice told me before she prefers not to. She's very cautious. My one girl without a tumour has an implant and I'm trying to decide between a spay and an implant for my fosters but it's hard since I have no clue how old they are. Personally it's a question of age and health. If a rat is young and healthy enough to undergo surgery and I trust the vet, I would spay. Otherwise I would do the implant.

I asked my vet a few more questions about them last time I was in and he said they take 10 days to take effect, not 3 to 4 weeks, that they dissolve over time (he's not sure whether they dissolve completely) and the original implant would not have to be removed if a second (or even a third) were implanted.

 

[ChrisK]

I asked my vet a few more questions about them last time I was in and he said they take 10 days to take effect, not 3 to 4 weeks, that they dissolve over time (he's not sure whether they dissolve completely) and the original implant would not have to be removed if a second (or even a third) were implanted.

Ahh. that's good to know! Thanks for that update!

 

[coreline]

ok, bumping this up because I have tons of questions hehe.

is Deslorelin the brand name of implant? I'm in the States, so not sure if the brand name would be different or not.

I was speaking to someone at my vet's office about implants after I saw this thread. it's something I'd be very interested in seeing if it works. I have 5 girls. 1 is spayed, but I'm working on getting the other 4 spayed. I have 2 that are super tiny and while they can be spayed, I'd much rather avoid it if possible. something like an implant would be amazing!

(to note, the point of the spays would be to avoid mammary tumors. not to merge them with boys, etc. the male cage mate of one of the girls is all ready neutered. all of my girls will be 1 as of January, with 2 of the unspayed girls being around 1 year 3 months - 1 year 4 months then.)

 

[victoria]

Deslorelin is the name of the hormone. I think it is only available from one company (Suprelorin) because of patent rights. Just so you know, Ratty Momma wasn't able to get them from her vet because he needed a permit to order them, although they are more widely used in livestock so depending where you live, they may already be in use.

 

[coreline]

I'm going to have to ask my vet!

I know they all ready order an implant for use in other animals they treat. so it's likely it's the same one and they have a permit.

going to cross my fingers and see what my vet says!