Tumor or Abscess. Update, puss and hair loss.

[Kitsa]

My year old rat has a huge growth near her armpit. I take her to the vet daily and he believes the spot to be a Cyst.
It has a dark spot forming and I read that an Abscess will form a dark spot that will turn into a scab and later burst.
This vet does not see rats often.

I would like to know, how do you tell the difference between a Tumor and Abscess

I do not have a picture of this yet. If you look at my second picture the infected area would be in the center of the mass.
There is a small but growing amount of puss and very small scabs that were not there last night that are trying to peel off.
This started happening after I wrapped the mass with a warm rag a couple times each day.

Should I let the puss break through and just help it drain? Should I get a certain type of medication to help fight of viruses? I know i'll need some i'm just not sure which one would be the best in this type of situation. Should she be kept in a cage with cut up clothe or paper?

I am planning on taking her to a vet I just have to gather up some extra money because I have no idea how much medication and possible stitches or staples and other stuff will cost.

 

[freak_nutcase]

The problem is tumours come in all shapes and sizes...they can be quite soft or hard, they can feel attached to the body or just free moving. Tumours can grow slowly or really quickly...so you sort of have to wait it out...my old girl managed to have a tumour crossed with an abcess :S showing a picture may help but I'd recommend you find a new vet or ask the current one to do an FNA (fine needle aspirate) of the lump, this just takes a small sample of cells relatively painlessly. A good vet should be able to identify pus and diagnose or rule out abscess

 

[victoria]

I would say that's a tumour. Tumours sometime develop abscesses, I'm not clear if it's because the immune system is trying to fight off an invader or if it's because they become necrotic, but they are often sterile abscesses (no bacteria) and the underlying issue is the tumour not the abscess.

Are you able to get her to a more rat savvy vet? How long has she had the lump?

 

[Kitsa]

I would say that's a tumour. Tumours sometime develop abscesses, I'm not clear if it's because the immune system is trying to fight off an invader or if it's because they become necrotic, but they are often sterile abscesses (no bacteria) and the underlying issue is the tumour not the abscess.

Are you able to get her to a more rat savvy vet? How long has she had the lump?

About four or five months now. There is only one local vet that I know of that will see rats and thats the one I go to. I did discover a exotic vet locater today and i'm going to start calling some others to take her to.

 

[mamarat]

It does look like a tumor to me too.

 

[Dazzle87]

I'd say just ask your current vet for a FNA, but, if its a tumor, which it looks like to me as well, you may want to have it removed, and a rat savvy vet is absolutely required for surgery.

ETA: If you click Indiana there are twelve vets in your state that are members of the association of exotic mammal veterinarians. I'd start there with looking for a new vet.
http://www.aemv.org/vetlist.cfm

 

[Kitsa]

Well i'm not sure if my vet can do that, I will still call and ask. He has a very small building and cannot have hold very much equipment or cages to keep animals in.