Schnooks' mammary tumor

[brooket]

I found out yesterday that the lump on near Schnooks' right leg on her belly is a mammary tumor. The vet I saw didn't recommend removing it due to Schnooks' age (nearly 2) and the cost. She knows I'm a full time college student with not enough money. Also, she said it wouldn't allow for Schnooks to live longer, just more comfortably in her final days. I'm kind of stuck here guys. I love this rat more than any pet (she was my first pet I had living on my own), but I can't afford to get the tumor removed. Do you guys have suggestions? When the tumor is too large for her to play with her cage-mate or she doesn't seem happy, should I get her euthanized? The vet said she has anywhere from a month until January to live.

*sigh*

 

[jorats]

I'm really sorry you have to deal with that. It's truly heart breaking.
In some rats, mammary tumours can grow quite fast or quite slow. But for the most part rats adapt easily and carry on like nothing is out of the ordinary with their appendage.
Your vet is wrong however... your rat could live much much longer without the tumour. Average life span is 2 to 2.5 but I've had rats live over 3.
However, we do what we can with what we have. Keep her on a very low fat diet and no sugar. These foods accelerates tumour growth.
When the time comes, you'll see it. She'll let you know.