Tofu has a tumor

[tinytippytoes]

The reason I put this in general care is this. I adopted 3 Lab boys about 6 months ago. Macaroni (Mac for short) died about 2 months ago)so now I have Tofu and Spaghetti (Getti for short) Well Getti has a tumor and these boys never warmed up to me. They take treats and sometimes let me pet them. Not often. They have always been like they are frightened of me. So now I have to make a choice because Tofu will not except me and I'm afraid he will be so depressed about losing his brother. Ive already decided not to prolong Getti's life because he 1. would be traumatized by the ordeal and 2. his age, they are both over 2 years old. Now I have to make the decsion to put them BOTH to sleep because of the fact Tofu would be all alone. I must say I never really cared for these 2. They never stole my heart. I care for them but I never loved these 2. I never neglected them never hurt them and there cage has always been kept clean and they do have a playpen for free range time. I'm gonna be sad when they go Im crying already So maybe I did care for them a little more than I thought. Totally confused. LOL Would it be cruel or selfish of me to let them both go together?

 

[jorats]

It sounds like you are struggling with this situation. How old are the boys? How big is the tumor? Are you getting out of rats after these boys? Ideally finding Tofu a buddy when the time comes would be the best course of action?

 

[tinytippytoes]

They are both older than 2 years. These were Lab boys. I was told not to share other rats with them because their immune system was poor. I keep them separate from my 2 new boys. I couldn't put them together. I'm struggling with the idea that that the 2 would have to go together when Getti's time is up.. Tofu would be alone and that kills me. I'm not sure if its fast growing because they don't let me touch them I haven't been able to check them like I do for all my rattys. If they did I could have seen it coming and taking care of it then while it was small. I love rats theres no way I would stop adopting them.

 

I dont know waht to say, but :hugs: to you!

 

[victoria]

If you have other rats in the house, they have likely been already exposed to the pathogens carried by the other rats. You may find that introducing them to other more socialized rats will help socialize them. Have you consulted with a vet to see if the lump is removable? If he's otherwise healthy and depending on the type of lump it is, it may be operable. If not you could always get anti-inflammatory drugs to extend his lifespan until the tumour starts hindering him.

 

[jorats]

That's too bad that you were given such false information on lab rats. The minute they leave the lab they become susceptible to everything the other rats can get. They should have been socialized and introed to buddies to show them how to be happy pets. But it's never too late. It would require dedication and patience on your part but the outcome would be beautiful.

 

[tinytippytoes]

Im going to look at what I can do for them, Yes I guess I was told wrong. But that was the info they gave me. This morning Tofu gave me a greeting. Small one but he came to the bars of the cage. Like he was saying good morn!!

 

[tinytippytoes]

So the earlest I could make an appt for Tofu( I made a mistake it wasn't Getti)is Wensday. I can't take any other day off. I tried to switch a day with someone but nobody can do it. I hope its a slow growing one.

 

[jorats]

Did you get a look at the lump? how big is it? If Tofu came to say hi, it mustn't be bothering him yet, that's good!

 

[tinytippytoes]

No its not bothering him yet. Its the size of a half golf ball. Yeah it was so cute. I said " Hi ya big fellow " and he cocked his head as if really listening.

 

[Roo]

I've had rats live a long time with tumors that never bothered them. No luck figuring out how fast it's growing?

 

[tinytippytoes]

Not yet I just noticed it yesterday. Slow is good. Slow is wonderful,but waiting a week to see the Vet is tooooo slow.

 

[tinytippytoes]

Oh cram! OMG (Tofu)hes so friendly. I guess he changed his mind? I put him on my desk and played around while I'm typing. Came up to me. God he wanted squishy pettings!! He came up to the comp. and wanted some loving. LOL ,but oh boy is he getting a bath tomorrow!! He has manrat gunk. :sick2: I managed to get some off with baby wipes. (No perfume or alcohol of course) The tumor? Im guessing. It is soft ,does that mean anything? God he so sweet and guess what hes not over 2 years. I went back to when I got them(the date) and realized they are about 14 to 15 months. I can kick myself now. I did a good job here and didn't realize it. :gaah: :gaah: :wallbang: :wallbang:


So is Spaghetti!!!! Both on my desk now!!! Yeah!!!!!

 

[Rattus]

Is the smell directly on the lump? does it smell like infection or rott kinda? it might be an abcess instead which would be good news!

 

[tinytippytoes]

oh i wish it was an abbess!! no theres no marks no openings and i checked. maybe a closed abbess? how would i know the difference? he smells because of the stuff on his back i smelled it :sick2:

 

[Rattus]

He may just be a stinky boy then lol :giggle: but if it smells worse where the lump is it may be an abcess. How long has it been there, you wont always know until it develops a head on it which takes a bit and it may be hard to see cause his fur is dark. The head will look like a black bruise or something..

it might aswell be a tumor though..

 

[jorats]

It could be a closed abscess, there's no way to know without the vet aspirating it. But for now, if the lump remains small, I wouldn't worry about yet. But if you plan on having it removed, the sooner the better.
Tofu wanting some loving made my heart melt. :heart:

 

[tinytippytoes]

So Tofu is still here among us. He's always was laid back so its kinda hard to figure out if its the lump thats bothering him or what. Sure the buck grease is not helping so tonight I'm getting some of it off by giving him a partial bath. The appt has been move up YEAH :dance: Not really something to be excited about but I'd take a half a day before than after. My manager said he can stay in the back room so I can still make money and bring him for his 2:30 appt. on Tuesday. He is eating right now so thats cool!! Now the lump does not smell and I which it did but it doesn't So probably a tumor right? It all so does not hurt him and I figure a abbess got to hurt? Poor Tofu he and his brother had a hard beginning. Here are the sleepy heads waking from a nap.

 

[jorats]

If there's no head yet to an abscess, it won't smell...and I have found that they don't seem to hurt the rat either.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an abscess.
Gosh, they are beautiful!

 

[tinytippytoes]

Thanks jorats Tofu woke up and is running around in the playpen. He looks good.